n. & v.
n. 1 a young dog; a puppy. 2 archaic a cub. 3 an ill-mannered child or youth. 4 (esp. in pl.) a projection on the barrel of a capstan or windlass.
v.tr. (also absol.) 1 bring forth (a whelp or whelps). 2 derog. (of a human mother) give birth to. 3 originate (an evil scheme etc.).
[ OE hwelp ]