[woch-dawg, -dog] 
noun, adjective, verb, -dogged, -dog⋅ging.| 1. | a dog kept to guard property. |
| 2. | a watchful guardian: a self-appointed watchdog of the public morals. |
| 3. | of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a watchdog. |
| 4. | organized or functioning as a watchful guardian, esp. against illegal or unethical conduct: a watchdog group in the legislature. |
| 5. | to watch carefully, esp. so as to detect illegal or unethical conduct. |
