vaquero

American  

[vah-kair-oh, vah-ke-raw] / vɑˈkɛər oʊ, vɑˈkɛ rɔ /

noun

• vaqueros
  plural

1. Southwestern U.S. a cowboy or herdsman.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• vaqueros
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of vaquero

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Spanish, equivalent to vac(a) “cow” (from Latin vacca ) + -ero (from Latin -ārius ); see -ary

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Explanation

In Mexico and the American Southwest, a cowboy is known as a vaquero. The vaquero tradition dates back to the sixteenth century, when Spain colonized Mexico. The earliest vaqueros were native Mexicans who learned to herd cattle that belonged to Spanish colonizers. Over the centuries, the tradition spread from Mexico south to Argentina and as far north as British Columbia. Vaqueros were the original cowboys, inspiring the iconic North American horseback rancher and herder. The word vaquero derives from the Spanish vaca, or "cow."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vaquero vaqueros

Nonetheless, the Mexican vaquero is largely erased from popular U.S. depictions of the cowboy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2026

Marciel Perez, who owns Mr. Hammer Shoes, has been selling huaraches and vaquero fashion at Plaza Mexico for over 30 years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2025

One of the works is a Mexican vaquero.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2024

She’s a healer and he’s a vaquero, but both are still healing from a vampire attack when they were teenagers.

From New York Times ● Jun. 9, 2023

She told me about Narciso when he was a young man, a fine vaquero, and very respected.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

Traditional western dramas were more likely to depict vaqueros as bandits than hard-working ranch hands whose contributions were fundamental to the American West.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2026

The two entered the ring waving Mexican and Peruvian flags dressed as vaqueros.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2024

“When you come here, you feel a certain pride in being Mexican,” said Emmanuel Fernández, a 29-year-old lawyer from Mexico City who first learned about the world of gay vaqueros while living in Atlanta.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2023

“I like to say hi to everybody because I’ve known them for a long time. Every Sunday, it’s the same people,” says Rodriguez as he embraces and chats with fellow vaqueros.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2022

Then the silence was shattered with the thunder of hoofbeats; vaqueros surrounded the small house with shouts and gunshots, and when they entered the room they were laughing and singing and drinking.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

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Related Words

• breeder
• herder
• herdsman

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