sea dog

[ see dawg, dog ]

noun

1. Informal. a sailor, especially an old or experienced one.
2. harbor seal ( def ).
3. a dogfish.
4. Informal. a pirate or privateer.

sea dog

noun

1. an experienced or old sailor

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea dog¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

The child of Finnish sea-folk who had drifted to Brest and died there, she had been adopted by an old Breton sea-dog and his wife.

From Project Gutenberg

The old man looks like a weather-beaten sea-dog in a south-wester—his Ladaki cap with its spreading flaps.

From Project Gutenberg

No elderly sea-dog will ever acknowledge to failing vision when he gazes at the level horizon he knows so well.

From Project Gutenberg

Need I describe how our noble old nautical sea-dog was received by the Mackerel Brigade?

From Project Gutenberg

The man who spoke was a rough, grizzled sea-dog, clad in an old jersey and tarpaulins.

From Project Gutenberg