Lewis & Short

cănīcŭla, ae, f. dim. [canis].

  1. I. A small dog or bitch, Plin. 32, 7, 26, § 79.
    Hence,
    1. B. Trop., of a passionate, quarrelsome woman, Plaut. Curc. 5, 1, 8; Gell. 4, 20, 3.
  2. II. Transf.
    1. A. Canis Minor, the lesser dogstar, in the mouth of the constellation Canis, q. v., Plin. 2, 47, 47, § 123; 18, 28, 68, § 268: flagrans, Hor. C. 3, 13, 9: flammans, Manil. 5, 207: rubra, Hor. S. 2, 5, 39: sitiens, Ov. A. A. 2, 231: insana, Pers. 3, 5: caniculae aestus, Hor. C. 1, 17, 17.
      Trop., of Diogenes: illa canicula Diogenes, Tert. adv. Marc. 11; cf. capella.
    2. B. A kind of sea-dog (cf. canis, II. B.), Plin. 9, 46, 70, § 151 sq.
    3. C. The worst throw with dice, the dog throw; opp. to Venus (v. canis, II. C., and alea), Pers. 3, 49.