the dogger () was a form of fishing boat, described as early as the 14th century, that commonly operated in the north sea. originally single masted, in the seventeenth century, doggers were used with two masts. they were largely used for fishing for cod by rod and line. dutch boats were common in the north sea, and the word "dogger" was given to the rich fishing grounds where they often fished, which became known as the dogger bank. the sea area in turn gave its name to the later design of boat that commonly fished that area, and so became associated with this specific design rather than the generic dutch trawlers.