\Goose\ (g[=oo]s), n.; pl. {Geese} (g[=e]s). [OE. gos, AS.
g[=o]s, pl. g[=e]s; akin to D. & G. gans, Icel. g[=a]s, Dan.
gaas, Sw. g[*a]s, Russ. guse. OIr. geiss, L. anser, for
hanser, Gr. chh`n, Skr. ha[.m]sa. [root]233. Cf. {Gander},
{Gannet}, {Ganza}, {Gosling}.] (Zo["o]l.)
1. Any large web-footen bird of the subfamily {Anserin[ae]},
   and belonging to {Anser}, {Branta}, {Chen}, and several
   allied genera. See {Anseres}.
Note: The common domestic goose is believed to have been
      derived from the European graylag goose ({Anser
      anser}). The bean goose ({A. segetum}), the American
      wild or Canada goose ({Branta Canadensis}), and the
      bernicle goose ({Branta leucopsis}) are well known
      species. The American white or snow geese and the blue
      goose belong to the genus {Chen}. See {Bernicle},
      {Emperor goose}, under {Emperor}, {Snow goose}, {Wild
      goose}, {Brant}.
2. Any large bird of other related families, resembling the
   common goose.
Note: The Egyptian or fox goose ({Alopochen [AE]gyptiaca})
      and the African spur-winged geese ({Plectropterus})
      belong to the family {Plectropterid[ae]}. The
      Australian semipalmated goose ({Anseranas semipalmata})
      and Cape Barren goose ({Cereopsis
      Nov[ae]-Hollandi[ae]}) are very different from northern
      geese, and each is made the type of a distinct family.
      Both are domesticated in Australia.
3. A tailor's smoothing iron, so called from its handle,
   which resembles the neck of a goose.
4. A silly creature; a simpleton.
5. A game played with counters on a board divided into
   compartments, in some of which a goose was depicted.
         The pictures placed for ornament and use, The twelve
         good rules, the royal game of goose.  --Goldsmith.
{A wild goose chase}, an attempt to accomplish something
   impossible or unlikely of attainment.
{Fen goose}. See under {Fen}.
{Goose barnacle} (Zo["o]l.), any pedunculated barnacle of the
   genus {Anatifa} or {Lepas}; -- called also {duck
   barnacle}. See {Barnacle}, and {Cirripedia}.
{Goose cap}, a silly person. [Obs.] --Beau. & .
{Goose corn} (Bot.), a coarse kind of rush ({Juncus
   squarrosus}).
{Goose feast}, Michaelmas. [Colloq. Eng.]
{Goose flesh}, a peculiar roughness of the skin produced by
   cold or fear; -- called also {goose skin}.
{Goose grass}. (Bot.)
   (a) A plant of the genus {Galium} ({G. Aparine}), a
       favorite food of geese; -- called also {catchweed} and
       {cleavers}.
   (b) A species of knotgrass ({Polygonum aviculare}).
   (c) The annual spear grass ({Poa annua}).
{Goose neck}, anything, as a rod of iron or a pipe, curved
   like the neck of a goose; specially (Naut.), an iron hook
   connecting a spar with a mast.
{Goose quill}, a large feather or quill of a goose; also, a
   pen made from it.
{Goose skin}. See {Goose flesh}, above.
{Goose tongue} (Bot.), a composite plant ({Achillea
   ptarmica}), growing wild in the British islands.
{Sea goose}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Phalarope}.
{Solan goose}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Gannet}.