[goad] n [ME gode, fr. OE gad spear, goad; akin to Langobardic gaida spear, and perh. to Skt hinoti he urges on] (bef. 12c) 1 a: something that pricks like a goad: thorn b: something that urges or stimulates into action: spur
2: a pointed rod used to urge on an animal syn see motive
[2]goad vt (1579) 1: to incite or rouse as if with a goad
2: to drive (as cattle) with a goad