dog·gone / ˈdôgˈgôn/ inf. • adj. used to express feelings of annoyance, surprise, or pleasure: now just a doggone minute | it's doggone good to be home. • v. [tr.] used to express surprise, irritation, or anger: from that moment, doggone it if I didn't see a motivation in Joey! | I'll be doggoned if every fourth kid is affected.

doggone (U.S.) confound! damn! XIX. app. development of earlier dog on it (etc.), of obscure orig., as a euph. substitute for God damn it. Cf. Sc. dagone! deuce take it!