I. ˈhau̇nd noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hund; akin to Old High German hunt dog, Latin canis, Greek kyōn
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : dog
b. : a dog of any of numerous hunting breeds including both scent hounds (as the bloodhound and beagle) and sight hounds (as the greyhound and Afghan hound)
2. : a mean or despicable person
3. : dogfish
4. : a person who pursues like a hound ; especially : one who avidly seeks or collects something
autograph hound s
II. transitive verb
Date: 1528
1. : to pursue with or as if with hounds
2. : to drive or affect by persistent harassing
Synonyms: see bait
• hound·er noun