Also 8–9 -bock, 9 -boc. [Cape Du., f. springen to spring + bok goat, antelope.] A species of antelope, Antilope euchore, abounding in South Africa, characterized by a habit of springing almost directly upwards when excited or disturbed. Cf. SPRINGER1 3 b.
α. 1775. Phil. Trans., LXVI. 283. We saw some herds of the spring-bocks, a species of antelope.
1777. Forster, Voy. round World, I. 84. The spring-bock … live in vast herds in the interior part of Africa.
1827. Griffith, trans. Cuvier, IV. 17. The Springbock, or Pouched Gazelle.
1871. Darwin, Desc. Man, II. xvii. (1890), 509. The spring-boc … has rather short upright horns.
β. 1785. G. Forster, trans. Sparrman’s Voy. Cape G. Hope (1786), II. 83. This animal, which is called by the colonists Spring-bok.
1834. Pringle, Afr. Sk., 1. A tame springbok followed him.
1850. R. G. Cumming, Hunter’s Life S. Afr. (1902), 18/1. The extraordinary manner in which springboks are capable of springing is best seen when they are chased by a dog.
1880. Silver & Co.’s S. Africa (ed. 3), 171. Immense migratory troops of the graceful spring-bok also cover these plains.
attrib. 1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 8 Aug., 3/2. A most successful attempt to bring springbok venison fresh to England.
