lurcher

[lur-cher]

noun

a crossbred dog used especially by poachers.

Archaic. a person who lurks or prowls, as a thief or poacher.

Origin of lurcher

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at lurch³, -er¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lurcher

Historical Examples of lurcher

The lurcher closed in, and drove her thither at tremendous speed.
Creatures of the Night
Alfred W. Rees
At every halt he made they pressed closer upon the “Lurcher.”
The Girl from Sunset Ranch
Amy Bell Marlowe
But she was interested in Lurcher for his own miserable sake, too.
The Girl from Sunset Ranch
Amy Bell Marlowe
And poor old Mr. Lurcher is only unfortunate and half-blind.
The Girl from Sunset Ranch
Amy Bell Marlowe
“I do hope you are keeping off the street this weather, Mr. Lurcher,” she said.
The Girl from Sunset Ranch
Amy Bell Marlowe

British Dictionary definitions for lurcher

lurcher

noun

a crossbred hunting dog, usually a greyhound cross with a collie, esp one trained to hunt silently

archaic a person who prowls or lurks

Word Origin for lurcher

C16: from lurch ³

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012