\Span"iel\, n. [OF. espagneul, F. ['e]pagneul, espagnol
Spanish, Sp. espa[~n]nol, fr. Espa[~n]a Spain, from L.
Hispania.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) One of a breed of small dogs having long and
   thick hair and large drooping ears. The legs are usually
   strongly feathered, and the tail bushy. See Illust. under
   {Clumber}, and {Cocker}.
Note: There are several varieties of spaniels, some of which,
      known as field spaniels, are used in hunting; others
      are used for toy or pet dogs, as the Blenheim spaniel,
      and the King Charles spaniel (see under {Blenheim}). Of
      the field spaniels, the larger kinds are called
      springers, and to these belong the Sussex, Norfolk, and
      Clumber spaniels (see {Clumber}). The smaller field
      spaniels, used in hunting woodcock, are called cocker
      spaniels (see Cocker). Field spaniels are remarkable
      for their activity and intelligence.
            As a spaniel she will on him leap. --Chaucer.
2. A cringing, fawning person. --Shak.

\Span"iel\, a.
Cringing; fawning. --Shak.

\Span"iel\, v. i.
To fawn; to cringe; to be obsequious. [R.] --Churchill.

\Span"iel\, v. t.
To follow like a spaniel. [R.]