noun
goatherd
GOHT-hurd
Goatherd (noun) means a person who herds and tends goats. Example: “The goatherd led his flock down from the hills at dusk.”
noun
1
A person who herds and tends goats.
"The goatherd led his flock down from the hills at dusk."
"In the village, a young goatherd sold cheese made from his goats' milk."
"A goatherd from the valley brought his animals to graze near the ridge."
How to use goatherd
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose job is looking after goats.
When to use it
A plain, neutral word used to name an occupation, common in both everyday and literary writing.
Memory tip
The word is simply goat plus herd, the same herd found in shepherd and cowherd.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a goatherd's flock
an old goatherd
work as a goatherd
a young goatherd
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like goatherd.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ led his flock down from the hills at dusk.
Etymology
Goatherd comes from Middle English goteherd, which goes back to Old English gathierde. It is formed from goat plus herd, in the sense of a herder.
Synonyms
View more →
goatherder
Frequently asked questions
What does a goatherd do?
A goatherd looks after goats, watching over them as they graze and moving them between pastures.
Where does the word goatherd come from?
It comes from Old English gathierde, formed from goat and herd, meaning a herder of goats.
Is goatherd still used today?
Yes, it is still used to describe someone whose work is herding goats, particularly in rural or traditional settings.
What is the meaning of goatherd?
"goatherd" (noun) means a person who herds and tends goats.
