Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - terrier

1. n. 1 a a small dog of various breeds originally used for turning out foxes etc. from their earths. b any of these breeds. 2 an eager or tenacious person or animal. 3 (Terrier) Brit. colloq. a member of the Territorial Army etc. Etymology: ME f. OF (chien) terrier f. med.L terrarius f. L terra earth 2. n. hist. 1 a book recording the site, boundaries, etc., of the land of private persons or corporations. 2 a rent-roll. 3 a collection of acknowledgements of vassals or tenants of a lordship. Etymology: ME f. OF terrier (adj.) = med.L terrarius liber (as TERRIER(1))