A sheep is a domesticated animal used for meat and wool production. Sheep were the first livestock to be domesticated, in approximately 9000 BCE, originally for meat. Wild sheep have an outer coat of fur and an inner coat of wool, and domestication has led to sheep with outer wool coats, used for textiles.

 

Elizabeth Dyke used sheep for mutton in gravies and meat dishes, puddings, broths, and to fatten fowl. Medicinally, Dyke used mutton suet for green ointment and poultices, and wool to apply medicines.