The “lap” of “dewlap” is from the Old English “laeppa,” meaning “pendulous piece or flap,” but the “dew” part is a bit of a mystery. You might assume that, as the animal grazes in a morning meadow, that flap of skin collects dew from the grass.

What is the purpose of a dewlap?

The dewlap is primarily used when indicating territorial boundaries and for males to attract females during the mating season. Studies have found that the pigments generating this color are pterins and carotenoids.

Do humans have dewlaps?

Wattles are those folds around the neck that are telltale signs of age in humans. ... Wattles, I agree, is a word with a reptilian image and calls for a synonym that is not a euphemism. However, dewlap is a word with a happier connotation, referring to the skin hanging below the jaw of cows.