GYNEE, s. H. gaini. A very diminutive kind of cow bred in Bengal. It is, when well cared for, a beautiful creature, is not more than 3 feet high, and affords excellent meat. It is mentioned by Aelian:
c. 250.—“There are other bullocks in India, which to look at are no bigger than the largest goats; these also are yoked, and run very swiftly.”—De Nat. Anim., xv. 24.
c. 1590.—“There is also a species of oxen called gaini, small like gut (see GOONT) horses, but very beautiful.”—Ain, i. 149.
[1829.—“…I found that the said tiger had feasted on a more delicious morsel,—a nice little Ghinee, a small cow.”—Mem. of John Shipp, iii. 132.]
1832.—“We have become great farmers, having sown our crop of oats, and are building outhouses to receive some 34 dwarf cows and oxen (gynees) which are to be fed up for the table.”—F. Parkes, Wanderings of a Pilgrim, i. 251.