Domestic Pigs - Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms

Since the domestic pig is a major domesticated animal, it is known by many names. A "boar" is a male domesticated pig. A castrated male pig is called a "barrow". A "sow" is a female pig. A sow may "farrow" (verb) a litter of "piglets", which is described as a "farrow" (noun). A female pig that has never been pregnant is called a "gilt". Anything resembling or anything characteristic of pigs is known as "porcine", and the breed may be either "swine", or "pig", whereas larger specimens in the US are typically "hogs". In Old and Middle English, the "pig" was originally reserved for small, young swine.