Goad (?), n. [AS. gad; perh. akin to AS. gar a dart, and E. gore. See Gore, v. t.]
A pointed instrument used to urge on a beast; hence, any necessity that urges or stimulates.
The daily goad urging him to the daily toil.
Macaulay.
© Webster 1913.
Goad, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Goaded; p. pr. & vb. n. Goading.]
To prick; to drive with a goad; hence, to urge forward, or to rouse by anything pungent, severe, irritating, or inflaming; to stimulate.
That temptation that doth goad us on.
Shak.
Syn. -- To urge; stimulate; excite; arouse; irritate; incite; instigate.
© Webster 1913.