Whelp
/wɛlp/noun
A young dog or other young animal, especially a puppy.
Did you know?In Middle English, “whelp” was increasingly used as a contemptuous label for a person, especially someone viewed as an impudent or despicable young man.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hwelpaz
“A young animal, especially a young dog; the exact deeper origin is uncertain.”
Old English
OE
hwelp
“A young dog or puppy.”
Middle English
ME
whelp
“A young dog or other young animal; also increasingly a term of abuse for a person.”
16th Century
English
whelp
“A young animal, particularly a puppy; used figuratively for a contemptible or insolent person.”
Modern English
English
whelp
“A young dog or animal, and figuratively an impudent or despicable person.”