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

A couple of seemingly frustrated herdsmen were trying to steer cattle and goats through the narrow patches of pasture that remained.

From MIT Technology Review

She teams up with a herdsman who has been wrongfully accused of terrorism, and the two embark on a page-turning journey where they must do what it takes to survive.

From Time

To get that wildlife-friendly tag, herdsmen need to clear multiple steps — from predator-proofing pens and reporting poaching, to removing shangdongs and freeing up land for wildlife reserves.

From Ozy

The years like Great Black Oxen tread the world And God the herdsman goads them on behind.

From The Daily Beast

The fresh imprint of a tiger's paw upon the pathway gives the same sort of feel to the Indian herdsman.

From Project Gutenberg

Galerius, an Illyrian herdsman, but exhibited more conspicuously upon the throne of empire the native barbarity of his character.

From Project Gutenberg

If a man has hired a herdsman for the cows or a shepherd for the sheep, he shall give him eight gur of corn per annum.

From Project Gutenberg

Just about sundown the stately herdsman again appeared with his motley following.

From Project Gutenberg

One of these stones, fifteen inches in diameter, broke through the roof of a cottage, and killed a herdsman and a bullock.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• herder
• rancher