Bullock
A castrated male bovine; in India and Australia, especially one used for draught work.
Also: bail, bullocks
Bullock has two shades of meaning. In Britain and Ireland it is a young castrated male raised for beef, much as a steer is in North America. In India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Australia it means above all a castrated working animal, the bullock that pulls the plough, the cart and the water wheel. Indian draught breeds such as the Hallikar, Amrit Mahal, Khillari, Kangayam and Nagori were bred to give strong, fast bullocks, and pairs are often matched for colour, size and horn shape. Bullocks are honoured at festivals such as Pola in Maharashtra and Mattu Pongal in Tamil Nadu. Tractors have replaced many, but they still work smallholdings.