Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Goal \Goal\, n. [F. gaule pole, Prov. F. waule, of German
   origin; cf. Fries. walu staff, stick, rod, Goth. walus, Icel.
   v["o]lr a round stick; prob. akin to E. wale.]
   1. The mark set to bound a race, and to or around which the
      constestants run, or from which they start to return to it
      again; the place at which a race or a journey is to end.

            Part curb their fiery steeds, or shun the goal With
            rapid wheels.                         --Milton.

   2. The final purpose or aim; the end to which a design tends,
      or which a person aims to reach or attain.

            Each individual seeks a several goal. --Pope.

   3. A base, station, or bound used in various games; in
      football, a line between two posts across which the ball
      must pass in order to score; also, the act of kicking the
      ball over the line between the goal posts.

   {Goal keeper}, the player charged with the defense of the
      goal.