aurochs
noun
au·rochs ˈau̇-ˌräks 
ˈȯr-ˌäks
plural aurochs
: an extinct large long-horned wild ox (Bos primigenius) of Europe that is the ancestor of domestic cattle
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Some Mesolithic sediment layers at the site still hold the hoofprints of long-extinct aurochs, and more than half the animal bones archaeologists have unearthed there come from that animal. 
Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Hundreds more bones attributed to elephants, rhinoceroses, giant deer, horses and bovine aurochs, a now extinct cow-like animal, were also discovered in the cave. Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 11 May 2021 Europe’s largest mammal, and also a stable hybrid) is from its ancestors—the aurochs and plains bison. Tim Flannery, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2021 In that case, researchers would expect to find points made from antler as well as bones of aurochs, other deer species and Eurasian elk. Bridget Alex, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Dec. 2020 The project now has herds of 27 European bison, 25 aurochs, and some 70 wild horses. Karel Janicek, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2020 The project now has herds of 27 European bisons, 25 aurochs and some 70 wild horses. Karel Janicek, Star Tribune, 8 Aug. 2020 The Czech project includes tauros that were transferred from the Netherlands, where a cross-breeding program aimed at coming close to the original species, the aurochs, started in 2008. Karel Janicek, Star Tribune, 8 Aug. 2020 The Czech project includes tauros that were transferred from the Netherlands, where a cross-breeding program aimed at coming close to the original species, the aurochs, started in 2008. Karel Janicek, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2020 See More
Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 4 May 2022 Hundreds more bones attributed to elephants, rhinoceroses, giant deer, horses and bovine aurochs, a now extinct cow-like animal, were also discovered in the cave. Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN, 11 May 2021 Europe’s largest mammal, and also a stable hybrid) is from its ancestors—the aurochs and plains bison. Tim Flannery, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2021 In that case, researchers would expect to find points made from antler as well as bones of aurochs, other deer species and Eurasian elk. Bridget Alex, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Dec. 2020 The project now has herds of 27 European bison, 25 aurochs, and some 70 wild horses. Karel Janicek, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2020 The project now has herds of 27 European bisons, 25 aurochs and some 70 wild horses. Karel Janicek, Star Tribune, 8 Aug. 2020 The Czech project includes tauros that were transferred from the Netherlands, where a cross-breeding program aimed at coming close to the original species, the aurochs, started in 2008. Karel Janicek, Star Tribune, 8 Aug. 2020 The Czech project includes tauros that were transferred from the Netherlands, where a cross-breeding program aimed at coming close to the original species, the aurochs, started in 2008. Karel Janicek, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
German, from Old High German ūrohso, from ūro aurochs + ohso ox; akin to Old English ūr aurochs — more at ox
First Known Use
1755, in the meaning defined above