herdsman

[ hurdz-muhn ]

noun

, plural herds·men.

1. a herder; the keeper of a herd, especially of cattle or sheep.
2. Herdsman, Astronomy. the constellation Boötes.

herdsman

/ ˈhɜːdzmən /

noun

1. a person who breeds, rears, or cares for cattle or (rarely) other livestock in the herd US equivalentherder

Word History and Origins

Origin of herdsman¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; herd ¹ + 's ¹ + -man; compare earlier herdman, Middle English hird-man, Old English hyrdemann

Example Sentences

The herdsmen all stood up, fear unmistakable in their eyes, and left.

From Literature

Unlike the Islamic extremists that staged the Chibok kidnappings, the deadly criminal gangs terrorizing villages in northwestern Nigeria are mostly former herdsmen who were in conflict with farming host communities, according to authorities.

From Seattle Times

New study by ICTA-UAB and the University of Cádiz reveals that the first farmers and herdsmen settled in Andalusia collected and consumed shellfish throughout the year, especially in winter.

From Science Daily

He said it was a "stark and salutary lesson to herdsmen", adding: "It was a tragedy that could and should have been avoided."

From BBC

Bavarian herdsmen prepare their clothes before they drive their beasts during the return of the cattle from the summer pastures in the mountains near Oberstdorf, Germany.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• herder
• rancher