golf

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A game in which players use clubs to hit a small ball into a series of holes on a large outdoor course, using as few hits as possible.

   My grandfather plays golf every Sunday morning.

2. 2
   verb

   To play the game of golf.

   They golfed all afternoon despite the rain.

The word is first known in English from the 17th century as a borrowing from Middle Scots golf, gouff. Although the etymology is uncertain, the most likely origin is that it comes from the Middle Dutch colve, colf (“club”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *kulbaz (“club”), related to German Kolben (“piston, rod”), Swedish kolv (“piston, rod”), Old English clopp (“rock; cliff”), English kelp.

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