Definition of kelpie:

part of speech: noun

In Scotch myth., a water- sprite; a water- witch of malignant nature.

Usage examples:

• After tea he took an opportunity of saying to Marjorie, 'Now, Marjorie, remember that we've got to make the Kelpie late. Hilda T. Skae in "The Adventure League".

• " There, Kelpie lie there," he continued, returning to the hearth, and, addressing a small, white, shaggy dog, which, with a human look in its round, pink eyes, obeyed the voice it knew and loved, and crouched down in the corner at a safe distance from the young lady, whom it seemed instinctively to know as an enemy. Mary Jane Holmes in "Bad Hugh".

• It's all afloat,- hair- brushes out on voyages of discovery, and a horrid little kelpie sculling round on a hat- box!" Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney in "We Girls: A Home Story".