Cerberus

[sur-ber-uh s] /ˈsɜr bər əs/
noun, plural Cerberuses, Cerberi
[sur-buh-rahy] /ˈsɜr bəˌraɪ/ (Show IPA), for 2.
1.
Also, Kerberos. Classical Mythology. a dog, usually represented as having three heads, that guarded the entrance of the infernal regions.
2.
a formidable and often surly keeper or guard.
Related forms
Cerberean
[ser-beer-ee-uh n] /sərˈbɪər i ən/ (Show IPA), Cerberic, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for Cerberus

Cerberus

/ˈsɜːbərəs/
noun
1.
(Greek myth) a dog, usually represented as having three heads, that guarded the entrance to Hades
2.
a sop to Cerberus, a bribe or something given to propitiate a potential source of danger or problems
Derived Forms
Cerberean (səˈbɪərɪən) adjective
Word Origin and History for Cerberus

"watch-dog guardian of Hades," late 14c., Latinized form of Greek Kerberos, of unknown origin, according to Klein perhaps cognate with Sanskrit karbarah, sabalah "spotted, speckled;" Sabalah was the name of one of the two dogs of Yama.

Cerberus in Culture
Cerberus [(sur-buh-ruhs)]

In classical mythology, the three-headed dog who guarded the entrance to Hades.