Spaniel
/ˈspænjəl/noun
A breed of dog originally bred for hunting and flushing game.
Did you know?The name is traditionally traced to Old French *espaigneul* (“Spanish”), showing how animal names often preserve old trade routes, breeding fashions, and prestige languages.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
Latin
Hispaniolus
“Spanish; from Hispania (Spain)”
Old French
OF
espaigneul
“Spanish (used of a dog from Spain or associated with Spain)”
Middle English
ME
spanyel
“A Spanish dog; a hunting dog of Spanish type”
16th–17th Century
English
spaniel
“A dog breed used for flushing game from cover”
Modern English
English
spaniel
“A breed or type of dog, especially a small sporting or companion dog”