Geißbock

German

Etymology

From Geiß +‎ Bock.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈɡaɪsˌbɔk/
Audio (file)

Noun

Geißbock m (genitive Geißbocks or Geißbockes, plural Geißböcke)

billy goat, he-goat

Usage notes

The word is most common in southern Germany and Austria. Moreover, it is also used – alongside Ziegenbock – in some more northern regions where Geiß itself has become rare (probably because the compound with Bock is more transparent and generally intelligible than the bare word.)

Synonyms

Bock (includes other species such as sheep)
Ziegenbock