Definition of stag

The word "stag" originally comes from the Old English steag, which means "male deer." This term was derived from the Old Norse stagr, which also meant "male deer" and refers to the antlers on the head of the male deer. The Viking Age, which started in the 8th century AD, brought the Old Norse language and culture to many areas of Europe, including England, where Old English was spoken. The Scandinavian settlers who came to England during the Viking Age left a lasting linguistic and cultural influence, including the use of Old Norse words like "stagr" for "male deer" in Old English. Today, the term "stag" is still used to refer to male deer in English, as well as in many other Germanic languages. Another possible origin of the word "stag" comes from the Middle English styleg, streleg, or estreleg, which meant "male deer" but also referred to hunters who wore costumes made from deer skins as a form of disguise during the hunt. The word "stag" may have derived from these terms, as the antlers of male deer can be seen as a kind of natural camouflage or disguise during mating season. Whatever its origin, the word "stag" has a rich and varied history, reflecting the cultural and linguistic connections between the Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and later medieval communities who all used it to describe the majestic and iconic male deer.