noun
- a functionless claw of some dogs, not reaching the ground in walking.
- an analogous false hoof of deer, hogs, etc.
noun
- a nonfunctional claw in dogs; the rudimentary first digit
- an analogous rudimentary hoof in deer, goats, etc
also dew-claw, 1570s, from claw, but the signification of the first element is obscure (see dewlap).