Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Goad \Goad\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Goaded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Goading}.]
   To prick; to drive with a goad; hence, to urge forward, or to
   rouse by anything pungent, severe, irritating, or inflaming;
   to stimulate.

         That temptation that doth goad us on.    --Shak.

   Syn: To urge; stimulate; excite; arouse; irritate; incite;
        instigate.

Goad \Goad\, n. [AS. g[=a]d; perh. akin to AS. g[=a]r a dart,
   and E. gore. See {Gore}, v. t.]
   A pointed instrument used to urge on a beast; hence, any
   necessity that urges or stimulates.

         The daily goad urging him to the daily toil.
                                                  --Macaulay.

Source : WordNet®

goad
     n 1: a pointed instrument used to prod into motion [syn: {prod}]
     2: a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something;
        "the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves" [syn: {goading},
         {prod}, {prodding}, {urging}, {spur}, {spurring}]
     v 1: give heart or courage to [syn: {spur}]
     2: urge with or as if with a goad
     3: prod or urge as if with a log stick [syn: {prick}]
     4: goad or provoke,as by constant criticism; "He needled her
        with his sarcastic remarks" [syn: {needle}]