Hound derives from the common Teutonic hund, related to hunt, and may be related to the Teutonic verb hinpan, “to seize,” in reference to big hunting dogs that actually seized their prey. Eventually, however, the designation hound was reserved for hunting dogs that followed their quarry to scent. There were many varied breeds of these from early times, but all were noted for their tenacity as well as for their keen sense of smell. Hounds would follow a trail for hours, doubling back to find a scent if they lost it. By the late sixteenth century their grim persistence had suggested the expression to hound someone, to pursue someone relentlessly with the determination of a hound.