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))
Useful english dictionary. 2012.