[mas-tif, mah-stif] 
| one of a breed of large, powerful, short-haired dogs having an apricot, fawn, or brindled coat. |
| mas·tiff (mās'tĭf) n. Any of an ancient breed of large strong dogs, probably originating in Asia and having a short, often fawn-colored coat. [Middle English mastif, alteration (perhaps influenced by Old French mestif, mongrel) of Old French mastin, from Vulgar Latin *(canis) mānsuētīnus, tame (dog), from Latin mānsuētus, past participle of mānsuēscere, to tame : manus, hand; see man-2 in Indo-European roots + suēscere, to accustom; see s(w)e- in Indo-European roots.] |