A fold of loose skin hanging from the chin or throat of certain animals like cattle, dogs, turkeys, or reptiles, sometimes used to display dominance or attract mates.
From 'dew' (Old English daug, possibly referring to moisture or hanging loosely) + 'lap' (Old English læppa, meaning fold or flap). The term describes the hanging fold of skin that moves when animals move.
A dewlap isn't just extra skin—it's actually packed with sweat glands and blood vessels that help cattle cool down, so it's both a display of health (bigger dewlap = better fed) and a practical air conditioner!
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