subs. phr. (colloquial).—See quots.
1847. THACKERAY, Vanity Fair. II. ii. ‘Rawdon,’ said Becky … ‘I must have a SHEEP-DOG.’ … ‘What the devil’s that?’ said his Lordship. ‘A dog to keep the wolves off me,’ Rebecca continued, ‘a companion.’
1883. PAYN, Thicker than Water, viii. Under pretence of being my chaperon, or SHEEP-DOG, everyone knows that Mary is here for the protection of the public.
