The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Goad \Goad\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Goaded; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Goading.]
   To prick; to drive with a goad; hence, to urge forward, or to
   rouse by anything pungent, severe, irritating, or inflaming;
   to stimulate.
   [1913 Webster]

         That temptation that doth goad us on.    --Shak.

   Syn: To urge; stimulate; excite; arouse; irritate; incite;
        instigate.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

goading
    n 1: a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something;
         "the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves" [syn: goad,
         goading, prod, prodding, urging, spur,
         spurring]