DictionarycroupAnimal's hindquarters
noun

croup

The rump of a horse or similar animal.

The horse’s croup slopes toward the tail.

Etymology

The French word names the rump. English adopted it as an anatomical term for the rounded hindquarters of a horse or similar animal.

More examples

  • The judge examined the shape of the croup.
  • A blanket covered the animal’s croup.
  • The diagram marks the croup behind the loin.

Forms

croup · croups

Similar words

rump
Rump is the general anatomical term; croup is especially used in describing horses.
loin
The loin lies forward of the croup on the horse’s back.