one of the young of a dog or a beast of prey; a puppy; a cub; as, a lion's whelps.-a child; a youth; -- jocosely or in contempt.-one of the longitudinal ribs or ridges on the barrel of a capstan or a windless; -- usually in the plural; as, the whelps of a windlass.-one of the teeth of a sprocket wheel.-to bring forth young; -- said of the female of the dog and some beasts of prey.-to bring forth, as cubs or young; to give birth to.