noun pl. geese
- any of various long-necked, web-footed, wild or domestic waterfowl that are like ducks but larger; esp., a female as distinguished from a gander
- the flesh of a goose, used for food
- a silly person
- a tailor's pressing iron with a long handle curved somewhat like the neck of a goose
- Slang a sudden, playful prod in the backside
Origin:
ME gose < OE gos, akin to Du & Ger gans, ON gas < IE *ĝhans > L anser; goose prob. for the fact that geese sometimes attack children from the rear
transitive verb goosed, goosing
- ☆ to prod suddenly and playfully in the backside so as to startle
- ☆ to feed gasoline to (an engine) in irregular spurts
- ☆ to prod, or stir, into action