Goats live in groups called herds. A male goat is referred to as either a "buck"or a "billy" goat. Female goats are called "does" or "nanny" goats. Baby goats are referred to as "kids." For more information, go to Goat from Farm to Table.

1. a. or plural goat : any of various hollow-horned ruminant mammals (especially of the genus Capra) related to the sheep but of lighter build and with backwardly arching horns, a short tail, and usually straight hair. especially : one (Capra hircus) long domesticated for its milk, wool, and flesh.

The domestic goat (Capra hircus) is generally considered to have been first domesticated from the wild bezoar goat (Capra aegagrus) somewhere in the Fertile Crescent of the Near East some 10,000–11,000 years ago (Zeuner 1963; Mason 1984; Davis 1993; Zeder and Hesse 2000).

A goat's behavior varies based on breed, surroundings and herd size. Generally, goats are very sociable, lively, inquisitive and independent animals. They are intelligent and quick to learn good and bad habits, such as opening gate latches.