Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
alt. 1 A stick designed to goad cows, steers, and similar animals in order to prompt them to move in a desired direction, now usually electrify to administer a stimulating shock to the animal. 2 (context figuratively English) Something used to goad or push someone to act. n. 1 A stick designed to goad cows, steers, and similar animals in order to prompt them to move in a desired direction, now usually electrify to administer a stimulating shock to the animal. 2 (context figuratively English) Something used to goad or push someone to act.
Wikipedia
A cattle prod, also called a stock prod, is a handheld device commonly used to make cattle or other livestock move by striking or poking them. An electric cattle prod is a stick with electrodes on the end which is used to make cattle move through a relatively high-voltage, low-current electric shock The electric cattle prod is said to have been invented by Texas cattle baron Robert J. Kleberg, Jr. of the King Ranch around 1930, although versions were sold as early as 1917.
Usage examples of "cattle prod".
He lifted the cattle prod in one hand, and held the eyeball delicately between two fingers with the other.
Go after a guy with a cattle prod and he was going to show definite signs of stress.
Margot rinsed the cattle prod in the aquarium and put it in her pocket.
The man stood above him with a yard-long wooden stick capped with a metal point-for all the stars, a cattle prod!
Carl immediately backed away several steps from Igor and the cattle prod, but the evil man was quicker than he looked.
After that they fetched a milk cow, belonging to Rafael Maestas, that had bucked like hell last year if you zapped her in the udder -- just before the chute gate opened -- with a cattle prod.
He saw one of the men use a cattle prod on some of his stock once and he jumped the man, right over a rail.