bird dog

US: (bûrd′dôg′, -dog′)

Inflections of 'bird dog' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

bird-dogs

v 3rd person singular

bird-dogging

v pres p

bird-dogged

v past

bird-dogged

v past p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

bird′ dog′, 

1. Dog and Cat Breeds one of any of various breeds of dogs trained to hunt or retrieve birds.
2. [Informal.] a person hired to locate special items or people, esp. a talent scout who seeks out promising athletes.
3. [Slang.] a person who steals another person's date.
• 1885–90, American.

bird-dog  (bûrd′dôg′, -dog′), v., -dogged, -dog•ging. 
v.t. Informal. 

1. Informal Terms to follow, watch carefully, or investigate.
2. Informal Terms to seek out.

v.i. 

3. Informal Terms to follow or watch carefully.
4. Slang Terms to steal or attempt to steal another person's date.

• verb, verbal use of bird dog