mas·tiff / ˈmastif/ • n. a dog of a large, strong breed with drooping ears and pendulous lips.ORIGIN: Middle English: obscurely representing Old French mastin, based on Latin mansuetus ‘tame.’

mastiff (old English mastiff) Large fighting dog first bred in England more than 2000 years ago. It has a broad, rounded head with a dark-coloured, square muzzle and small V-shaped ears. The deep-chested body is set on strong legs with large feet. The short, coarse coat may be brown, grey or brindle. Height: to 84cm (33in) at shoulder; weight: to 95kg (210lb).

mastiff XIV. repr. obscurely OF. mastin (mod. mâtin :- Rom. *mānsuētīnus, f. L. mānsuētus tamed, tame, earlier mānsuēs, f. manus hand (see MANUAL) + base of suēscere (pp. suētus) accustom.