Any of several ticks (family Ixodidae) which infest dogs; especially the Eurasian Ixodes canisuga, the American Dermacentor variabilis, and the cosmopolitan Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
Origin
Mid 16th century; earliest use found in Thomas Elyot (c1490–1546), humanist and diplomat.
Definition of dog tick in US English:
dog tick
noun
Any of several ticks (family Ixodidae) which infest dogs; especially the Eurasian Ixodes canisuga, the American Dermacentor variabilis, and the cosmopolitan Rhipicephalus sanguineus.
Origin
Mid 16th century; earliest use found in Thomas Elyot (c1490–1546), humanist and diplomat.