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cerberus

< /ˈsɜr bəˌraɪ/ for 2.

Also Kerberos. Classical Mythology. a dog, usually represented as having three heads, that guarded the entrance of the infernal regions.
a formidable and often surly keeper or guard.

noun

Greek myth a dog, usually represented as having three heads, that guarded the entrance to Hades
a sop to Cerberus a bribe or something given to propitiate a potential source of danger or problems

“watch-dog guardian of Hades,” late 14c., Latinized form of Greek Kerberos, of unknown origin, according to Klein perhaps cognate with Sanskrit karbarah, sabalah “spotted, speckled;” Sabalah was the name of one of the two dogs of Yama.

In classical mythology, the three-headed dog who guarded the entrance to Hades.