[jak-uh
l, -awl] 
| 1. | any of several nocturnal wild dogs of the genus Canis, esp. C. aureus, of Asia and Africa, that scavenge or hunt in packs. |
| 2. | a person who performs dishonest or base deeds as the follower or accomplice of another. |
| 3. | a person who performs menial or degrading tasks for another. |
| jack·al (jāk'əl, -ôl') n.
[Turkish chakāl, from Persian shaghāl, from Middle Indic shagāl, from Sanskrit śṛgālaḥ.] |