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DictionarygauchoSouth American cowboy
noun

gaucho

GOW-choh/ˈɡaʊtʃəʊ/

A cowboy of the South American grasslands.

The gaucho rides across the grasslands to gather the cattle.

A traditionally dressed Argentine gaucho on horseback herds cattle across the open pampas.
Etymology
gauchoSpanishpampas horseman

Spanish gaucho names the pampas figure known for independence, horsemanship, and skill with the lasso. Its deeper origin is probably Indigenous South American; the source compares Araucanian cauchu, ‘wanderer,’ without establishing that derivation.

More examples

  • Two gauchos guide the herd toward the ranch.
  • The gaucho catches a stray calf with his lasso.
  • Her grandfather worked as a gaucho on the Argentine pampas.

Forms

gaucho · gauchos

Similar words

cowboy
A broader term for someone who herds cattle on horseback.
cowhand
Names a cattle ranch worker without specifying a South American setting.