Dictionary

watchpuppy en · NOUN

Etymology

From watch + puppy, by analogy with watchdog.

Meanings

1. (humorous, informal) A young, small, or insignificant watchdog.
   • Consumer watchpuppies by the basketful start yapping, led by legislators seeing a no-lose position to trumpet at election time. 2004, Broadcasting & Cable, volume 132, numbers 45-46, page 38:
   • The latter power, incidentally, will no doubt be welcome over at the Bank of England which has nurtured the infant City watchpuppy with a very sizable unsecured overdraft and will be looking forward to the first tranche of repayment. 1988, The New Law Journal, volume 137, page 622:
   • Brute lay in the boy's lap, a sleeping watchpuppy. 1999, Pamela Kaye Tracy, It Only Takes a Spark, Heartsong Presents, →ISBN, page 155:

Forms