dog tick

noun

1. any of a variety of ticks, as the American dog tick, that commonly infest dogs and may transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever or tularemia to humans.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dog tick¹

First recorded in 1545–55

Example Sentences

Dermacentor variabilis is a common dog tick of the eastern United States.

From Project Gutenberg

Both the dog-tick and the American tick before mentioned, especially the latter, also infest the horse.

From Project Gutenberg