/woch"dawg', -dog'/ , n., adj., v., watchdogged, watchdogging .
n.
1. a dog kept to guard property.
2. a watchful guardian: a self-appointed watchdog of the public morals.
adj.
3. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a watchdog.
4. organized or functioning as a watchful guardian, esp. against illegal or unethical conduct: a watchdog group in the legislature.
v.t.
5. to watch carefully, esp. so as to detect illegal or unethical conduct.
[ 1600-10; WATCH + DOG ]