barghest

or bar·guest

[ bahr-gest ]

noun

1. a legendary doglike goblin believed to portend death or misfortune.

Word History and Origins

Origin of barghest¹

1725–35; apparently bar(row) ² + ghest, Old English gæst, variant of gāst ghost

Example Sentences

The barghest was essentially a nocturnal spectre, and its appearance was regarded as a portent of death.

From Project Gutenberg

The barghest has a kinsman in the Rongeur d'Os of Norman folklore.

From Project Gutenberg