DictionarybuttStrike with the head
noun / verb

butt

To push or strike with the head.

The goat butts the wooden gate with its horns.

Etymology

The older verb means to push or thrust. English narrows the action here to using the head as the part that delivers the push or blow.

More examples

  • A sudden butt knocked the feeder sideways.
  • Please do not butt in while she is speaking.
  • The ram butted its rival during the contest.

Forms

butt · butts · butted · butting

Similar words

ram
Strikes forcefully with a body or object, while butt commonly uses the head.