WATCHDOG

watchdog, guard dog

(noun) a dog trained to guard property

watchdog

(noun) a guardian or defender against theft or illegal practices or waste; “she is the global watchdog for human rights abuses”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

watchdog (plural watchdogs)

a guard dog

An individual or group that monitors the activities of another entity (such as an individual, corporation, non-profit group, or governmental organization) on behalf of the public to ensure that entity does not behave illegally or unethically.

Verb

watchdog (third-person singular simple present watchdogs, present participle watchdogging, simple past and past participle watchdogged)

To perform a function analogous to that of a watchdog; to guard and warn.

(electronics) To be continuously reset by a watchdog timer.