The Sanskrit word 'śvāna' or 'śvānā' (श्वान) means 'dog'. This is a common Sanskrit term for canines. Other animal words in Sanskrit include 'vṛṣabha' (bull), 'go' (cow), and 'aja' (goat). The word is related to 'śvan' (barking) and appears in numerous compound words in Sanskrit literature.