A player in sports like soccer, hockey, or lacrosse whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by defending the goal. Short for goalkeeper.
Shortened form of 'goalkeeper,' first recorded in the 1920s as sports slang. 'Goalkeeper' itself combines 'goal' (from Middle English 'gol,' meaning boundary) and 'keeper' (one who keeps or guards), emerging with organized sports in the 19th century.
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