GOAD

I. noun Etymology: Middle English gode, from Old English gād spear, ~; akin to Langobardic gaida spear, and perhaps to Sanskrit hinoti he urges on Date: before 12th century 1. something that pains as if by pricking ; thorn , something that urges or stimulates into action ; spur , a pointed rod used to urge on an animal, see: motive II. transitive verb Date: 1579 to incite or rouse as if with a ~, to drive (as cattle) with a ~