graylag

or grey·lag

[ grey-lag ]

noun

1. a common, gray, wild goose, Anser anser, of Europe, that is the ancestor of most breeds of domestic goose.

Word History and Origins

Origin of graylag¹

1705–15; gray ¹ + lag ¹ (with reference to its habit of remaining longer in England before migrating than other species of the genus)

Example Sentences

The graylag goose which breeds in the British Isles, seems to be the ancestor of the domestic geese that we see in every farmyard.

From Project Gutenberg