Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural herds·men.
- a herder; the keeper of a herd, especially of cattle or sheep.
- (initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Boötes.
noun plural -men
- mainly British a person who breeds, rears, or cares for cattle or (rarely) other livestock in the herdUS equivalent: herder
Old English heordman, but the word was not common until herd (Old English hierde) in sense “keeper of domestic animals which go in herds” fell from use (cf. shepherd). See herd (n.) + man (n.). Intrusive -s- appeared early 15c., on model of craftsman, etc.