cowhand

English

Alternative forms
  • cow hand

Etymology

From cow +‎ hand, or perhaps blend of cowboy +‎ farmhand.

Noun

cowhand (plural cowhands)

  1. One who tends free-range cattle, especially in the American West.
    Synonyms: cowperson, cowpoke, cattleman
    Hyponyms: cowboy, cowgirl
    • 1886 April, Theodore Roosevelt, “Ranch Life and Game Shooting in the West”, in Outing, volume 8, number 1, page 3:
      Though a first rate cow hand he very shortly proved himself to be wholly incapable of acting as head.
    • 1936, “I'm an Old Cowhand (from the Rio Grande)”, Mercer, Johnny (music)‎:
      I'm an old cowhand from the Rio Grande / but my legs ain't bowed and my cheeks ain't tan […]
  2. Cowman or herdsman, especially to a dairy cattle herd.
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