Goose \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.

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