American dog tick

noun

: a common North American ixodid tick (Dermacentor variabilis) especially of dogs and humans that is an important vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia

called also dog tick

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

American dog tick

noun

: a common North American ixodid tick of the genus Dermacentor (D. variabilis) especially of dogs and humans that is an important vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia

called also dog tick