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

Bull-riding, still a staple on the U.S. rodeo circuit, originated in the vibrant vaquero tradition of charreadas — contests showcasing participants’ skills with horses, ropes and livestock.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2026

One of the works is a Mexican vaquero.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 27, 2024

The equestrian tradition of Western cattle raising is derivative not of anything Anglos brought to conquered Indigenous land but of the northern Mexican vaquero tradition.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 21, 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

The job of refining techniques of riding and roping — while modifying gear and apparel — largely fell to the resourceful vaqueros, from the Spanish word vaca for cow.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2026

Before John Wayne and Gary Cooper, there were the noble vaqueros of Mexico, myth-makers in their own right.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2026

It includes horse trails for a local community of vaqueros as well as an ADA-compliant ramp that will lead to the top of Nike Hill, a popular viewpoint.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2023

Each spring, hundreds of men from across Mexico and the United States make a pilgrimage to this colorful colonial city for an annual gathering of gay vaqueros — or cowboys.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2023

But when the western sun touched the clouds with orange and gold the vaqueros got in their trucks and headed home, and my father was left to drink alone in the long night.

From "Bless Me, Ultima" by Rudolfo Anaya

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Related Words

• breeder
• herder
• herdsman

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