Goshawks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of bird of prey known for its hunting prowess, particularly among the Accipiter genus, which features distinctive short wings and a long tail
2. A medium-sized raptor typically characterized by a powerful build and adept navigation through wooded areas during hunting
3. Generally referred to as skilled hunters, these birds are often utilized in falconry due to their agility and intelligence

Etymology: "Goshawks" is simply the plural of "goshawk," so the story belongs to the singular. The name is a compound of two Old English words: "gōs," meaning goose, and "hafoc," meaning hawk. Its Old English form was "gōshafoc," literally "goose hawk," and the bird earned the name because it was thought to prey on geese. The surprise lies in that name. Goshawks are not especially known for hunting geese; they are woodland raptors that take smaller birds and mammals, so the label reflects an old belief rather than the bird's typical diet. The word passed into Middle English as "goshauk," and a related Old Norse form, "gáshaukr," shows the same idea travelled across the North Sea. The English word "gosling," a young goose, shares the first element, which is why the two words look related.