Spaniel \Span"iel\, n. [OF. espagneul, F. ['e]pagneul, espagnol
Spanish, Sp. espa[~n]nol, fr. Espa[~n]a Spain, from L.
Hispania.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) One of a breed of small dogs having long and
thick hair and large drooping ears. The legs are usually
strongly feathered, and the tail bushy. See Illust. under
Clumber, and Cocker.
Note: There are several varieties of spaniels, some of which,
known as field spaniels, are used in hunting; others
are used for toy or pet dogs, as the Blenheim spaniel,
and the King Charles spaniel (see under Blenheim). Of
the field spaniels, the larger kinds are called
springers, and to these belong the Sussex, Norfolk, and
Clumber spaniels (see Clumber). The smaller field
spaniels, used in hunting woodcock, are called cocker
spaniels (see Cocker). Field spaniels are remarkable
for their activity and intelligence.
As a spaniel she will on him leap. --Chaucer.
2. A cringing, fawning person. --Shak.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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