Ghoul

In essence, the ghoul is another undead thing, similar in nature to zombies. Compared to zombies, however, ghouls are tougher, faster, and more dangerous: when you are struck by a ghoul, you are almost entirely paralyzed for a few moments. That might not be so bad if there is just the one ghoul, but if there are more... well, that will probably not end so well.

However, unlike zombies, you won't find ghouls on the surface. While they burn up in sunlight just like all other undead, they are only found underground (no higher than 60 blocks above bedrock).

Origin

This idea of a ghoul as a flesh eating undead creature with a paralyzing touch comes straight from Dungeons & Dragons.

Trivia

The ghoul texture is based on the Painterly Pack's zombie skin.

The word ghoul comes from Arabic and originally referred to a kind of evil genie that haunted ruins, tombs, and remote parts of the desert.

George Romero, who popularize "zombies" with his movie Night of the Living Dead actually called his walking dead "ghouls."