sea dog

[ see dawg, dog ]

noun

1. Informal. a sailor, especially an old or experienced one.
2. harbor seal ( def ).
3. a dogfish.
4. Informal. a pirate or privateer.

sea dog

noun

1. an experienced or old sailor

Word History and Origins

Origin of sea dog¹

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Try the East Lothian seafood chowder and NB sea dog cocktail, made with gin.

From Washington Post

As for the treacherous sea dog, Blackbeard, on November 22, 1718 he met his own end when he was killed in a fight with naval forces.

From Salon

When describing his oysters, he reached for a vocabulary that was part sommelier, part sea dog.

From New York Times

We turned to see a seal, or “sea dog” in the distance, poking its head up in a deeper channel that led out to the North Sea.

From Washington Post

Despite their predicament, Ramos, an old sea dog, said if they hoisted a sail they would be back in Ancón, their port of departure, in 12 days.

From The Guardian