— gooselike , adj.
/goohs/ , n. , pl. geese for 1, 2, 4, 8, 9; gooses for 5-7; v. , goosed, goosing .
n.
1. any of numerous wild or domesticated, web-footed swimming birds of the family Anatidae, esp. of the genera Anser and Branta, most of which are larger and have a longer neck and legs than the ducks.
2. the female of this bird, as distinguished from the male, or gander.
3. the flesh of a goose, used as food.
4. a silly or foolish person; simpleton.
5. Slang. a poke between the buttocks to startle.
6. Informal. anything that energizes, strengthens, or the like: to give the economy a badly needed goose.
7. a tailor's smoothing iron with a curved handle.
8. an obsolete board game played with dice and counters in which a player whose cast falls in a square containing the picture of a goose is allowed to advance double the number of his or her throw.
9. cook someone's goose , Informal. to ruin someone's hopes, plans, chances, etc.: His goose was cooked when they found the stolen gems in his pocket.
v.t.
10. Slang. to poke (a person) between the buttocks to startle.
11. Informal.
a. to prod or urge to action or an emotional reaction: The promise of time off may goose the workers and increase profits.
b. to strengthen or improve (often fol. by up ): Let's goose up the stew with some wine.
c. to increase; raise (often fol. by up ): to goose up government loans in weak industries.
d. to give a spurt of fuel to (a motor) to increase speed.
[ bef. 1000; ME gose, goos, OE gos (pl. ges ); c. G Gans, ON gas; cf. Skt hansa, Gk chén, L anser ]