mutton

This term specifically distinguishes the meat of an adult sheep from lamb, which comes from a younger animal. Mutton is characterized by a stronger, more gamey flavor and a tougher texture, often requiring slower cooking methods like stewing or braising to become tender. While primarily used as an uncountable mass noun referring to the meat, it can function as a countable noun when referring to the individual animals themselves. In such cases, it describes the livestock specifically designated for slaughter based on their age.