E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Alans.
Large dogs, of various species, used for hunting deer.
1
“Skins of animals slain in the chase were stretched on the ground … and upon a heap of these lay 3 alans, as they were called, i.e., wolf greyhounds of the largest size.”—Sir W. Scott: The Talisman, chap. vi.
