goad

A long, pointed stick used to prod animals.

• the daily goad urging him to the daily toil

That which goads or incites; a stimulus.figuratively

• I might have been an unfortunate little bull in a Spanish arena, I got so smartingly touched up by these moral goads.

To prod with a goad.

To encourage or stimulate.

To incite or provoke.

• goading a boy to fight