[The original implication of the second element seems lost.] trans. To tie a tin can or the like to the tail of (a dog, etc.) to distress and frighten him. Hence Tail-piped ppl. a.
1815. Sporting Mag., XLV. 256. A party of men and boys … having tail-piped a dog for the humane purpose of making sport of its agonies.
1857. Kingsley, Two Y. Ago, ii. Even ‘the Boys’ … tail-piped not his dog.
1881. Blackmore, Christowell, liv. He … rushed away headlong, like a tail-piped dog, carrying our men after him.
