Bock
/bɒk/noun
A strong, dark lager traditionally associated with German brewing.
Did you know?Bock beer is linked to Einbeck, Germany; when the name was adopted into Bavarian speech, Einbeck was humorously heard as Ein Bock—“a goat.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*bukkô
“Male goat or he-goat”
Old High German
Old High German
boc
“Male goat”
Middle High German
Middle High German
bock
“He-goat; buck”
14th Century
German
Einbecker
“From Einbeck, a northern German town famous for strong beer”
16th Century
German
Bock
“A strong beer, probably influenced by a pun connecting Einbeck with “ein Bock,” or “a goat””
17th–18th Century
English
bock
“A strong dark German-style beer”
Modern English
English
bock
“A strong lager, especially a dark German-style beer”