What is an example of semantic change through narrowing?

Narrowing is a type of semantic change where the meaning of a word becomes more specific over time. In this case, a word that once had a broader application, such as meaning 'any animal', transitions to a narrower definition that pertains specifically to 'dog'. This exemplifies narrowing because the scope of the word’s application has been reduced; it has lost some of its broader connotations and now only refers to a specific instance within the original category.

Broadening refers to a situation where a word expands to encompass a wider range of meanings, which does not apply here. A positive shift in meaning is indicative of amelioration rather than narrowing. Lastly, changing the grammatical use of a word reflects a different type of language evolution, focusing on how words function in sentences rather than their semantic scope. Thus, the answer accurately identifies an instance of narrowing in semantic change.