jack·al 
(jăkəl, -ôl′)
(jăkəl, -ôl′)n.
1. Any of several mammals of the genus Canis of Africa, Asia, and southeast Europe, that are chiefly foragers feeding on plants, small animals, and occasionally carrion.
2.
a. One who seeks to gain advantage or profit from the difficulties of another.
b. One who performs menial tasks for another.
[Turkish çakal (influenced in English by JACK, man, fellow), from Persian šaghāl, from Middle Indic sigāl, from Sanskrit śṛgālaḥ, of unknown origin.]