The front foot or paw of an animal, especially a four-legged creature like a dog or cat.
From 'fore-' (front) and 'paw' (from Old Norse 'pa,' ultimately of uncertain origin but related to hand/foot appendages). This is a practical term that emerged as people needed to distinguish front legs from back legs in animals.
A dog's forepaws are actually quite different from its hind legs—they're more flexible and designed for manipulation and balance rather than pure propulsion, which is why dogs can 'shake' with a foreleg in a way they can't with a hind leg.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.