subs. phr. (common).—1. A sailor: spec. an old SALT (q.v.). Also (2) anyone completely ‘at home’ in, or on, the water.
1835. R. H. DANA, Jr., Two Years Before the Mast, 94. The Sandwich Islanders are complete WATER-DOGS, and therefore very good in boating.
3. (common).—A Norfolk dumpling.
