bow·wow \ˈbau̇ˌwau̇; (“bark”) ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ or ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\noun (-s) Etymology: imitative 1.: the bark of a dog; also: dog 2.: noisy clamor or protest 3.: arrogance or dogmatism of manner < remarks delivered in the big bowwow style > 4.bowwowsplural: ruin, perdition : the dogs < headed for the bowwows > < gone to the bowwows >