English

goosebone

goose + bone

A compound of goose + bone

Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰh₂éns

Proto-Germanic *gans

Proto-West Germanic *gans

Old English gōs

Middle English goos

English goose

Proto-Germanic *bainaz ‘straight’

Proto-Germanic *bainą ‘bone, leg’

Proto-West Germanic *bain ‘bone’

Old English bān ‘bone’

Middle English bon ‘bone’

English bone

Today it means

noun The breastbone of a goose, once popularly believed to indicate the coming winter weather by its markings and coloration after cooking.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / goosebone