A large, fierce dog kept chained or tied up; a watchdog or guard dog.
From Middle English 'band' (chain, bond) plus 'dog.' The 'band' referred to the chain or tether keeping the dangerous dog restrained. Used from medieval times onward.
Medieval nobles used 'bandogs' to guard castles and estates—these were basically ancient security systems with fur! The chain was essential because people knew these dogs were too aggressive to roam free.
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