Drover: meaning, definitions and examples

🐄
Add to dictionary

drover

 

[ ˈdroʊvər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

animal husbandry

A drover is a person who drives cattle or other livestock to market or between pastures. This role has been essential in agricultural societies, where transporting animals over long distances is necessary for trade. Drovers must possess knowledge of animal behavior and transportation routes to effectively manage the herds. Historically, drovers played a vital part in the economy, especially before the advent of modern transportation methods.

Synonyms

cattle driver, herdsman, stockman

Examples of usage

  • The drover led the cattle to the market early in the morning.
  • She worked as a drover, guiding sheep across the hills.
  • In the old days, a drover’s skills were highly valued.
  • The story follows the adventures of a young drover in the wild west.

Translations

Translations of the word "drover" in other languages:

🇵🇹 condutor de gado

🇮🇳 पशु चराने वाला

🇩🇪 Viehhüter

🇮🇩 penggembala

🇺🇦 скотар

🇵🇱 pasterz

🇯🇵 牧師

🇫🇷 conducteur de bétail

🇪🇸 ganadero

🇹🇷 sürücü

🇰🇷 가축 운전사

🇸🇦 راعي الماشية

🇨🇿 paster

🇸🇰 pastier

🇨🇳 牧羊人

🇸🇮 pastir

🇮🇸 fénaðarmaður

🇰🇿 малшы

🇬🇪 ცხვრის მწყემსი

🇦🇿 qoyunçuluq

🇲🇽 ganadero

Word origin

The term 'drover' originates from the early 14th century in England, derived from the verb 'drive,' which means to guide animals. It reflects the agricultural practices of the time, where livestock played a crucial role in farming and commerce. As trade expanded, the necessity for individuals who could manage the movement of animals became apparent, leading to the formalization of the drover's role. In the 19th century, droving gained significance, particularly in places like Australia and America, where vast open lands required specialized skills to herd and transport livestock. Drovers often travelled long distances, sometimes over hundreds of miles, to deliver animals to markets or find new grazing land, and their contributions helped shape the livestock industries across continents.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,261 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.