Goad

google

ref

Old English gād, of Germanic origin.

wiktionary

ref

From Middle English gode, from Old English gād(“goad”), from Proto-Germanic *gaidō (compare Old Norse gedda(“pike (fish)”), Lombardic gaida(“spear”)), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰey- (compare Old Irish gath(“spear”), Sanskrit हिन्वति(hinvati), हिनोति(hinoti, “to urge on, throw”), हेति(heti, “missile, projectile”)).

etymonline

ref

goad (n.)

Old English gad "point, spearhead, arrowhead, pointed stick used for driving cattle," from Proto-Germanic *gaido "goad, spear" (source also of Lombardic gaida "spear"), which is perhaps cognate with Sanskrit hetih "missile, projectile," himsati "he injures;" Avestan zaena- "weapon;" Greek khaios "shepherd's staff;" Old English gar "spear;" Old Irish gae "spear." Figurative use "anything that urges or stimulates" is since 16c., probably from the Bible.

goad (v.)

1570s, from goad (n.); earliest use is figurative, "incite, stimulate, instigate." Literal use by 1610s. Related: Goaded; goading.