Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “herd” come from?

Herd comes from Middle English herde, from Old English hierde, from Proto-Germanic herdō, from Proto-Indo-European kerdʰ-, a root meaning to care for or tend.

herd (English): A number of domestic animals assembled together...

Definitions

  1. A number of domestic animals assembled together...

Ancestry of “herd”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1DutchhertA deer, a ruminant of the family Cervidae; may...
2Middle Dutchhertdeer; hearth, fireplace
3Old Dutchherth—
4Proto-West Germanicherþhearth, fireplace
5Proto-Germanicherþaz—
6Proto-Indo-Europeankérh₃-to-s—
7Proto-Indo-Europeankerh₃-to burn; to praise; to burn; fire, heat

Words derived from “herd”

  • herding
  • herdsman
  • herder
  • sheepherder
  • sheepherding
  • neatherd
  • herdboy
  • gooseherd
  • herdman
  • herdbook
  • herdswoman
  • herdlike
  • goatherder
  • cowherder
  • herdess
  • herdsboy
  • horseherd
  • swineherding
  • herdless
  • hogherd
  • bearherd
  • herdowner
  • swineherder
  • herdable
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kerh₃- →