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Gad

1. The point of a spear, or an arrowhead.

2. A pointed or wedge-shaped instrument of metal, as a steel wedge used in mining, etc. I will go get a leaf of brass, And with a gad of steel will write these words. (Shak)

3. A sharp-pointed rod; a goad.

4. A spike on a gauntlet; a gadling.

5. A wedge-shaped billet of iron or steel. Flemish steel . . . Some in bars and some in gads. (Moxon)

6. A rod or stick, as a fishing rod, a measuring rod, or a rod used to drive cattle with. Upon the gad, upon the spur of the moment; hastily. All this done upon the gad!

Origin: oe. Gad, Icel. Gaddr goad, sting; akin to Sw. Gadd sting, goth. Gazds, g. Gerte switch. See yard a measure.