† ˈherdman Obs.
Forms: see herd n.2
[f. herd n.2 + man.]
A man who herds cattle, sheep, or other animals; a herdsman.
| c 1000 ælfric Gen. xiii. 7 Þurh þone intingan sacu betwux Abrames hyrdemannum and Lothes. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 2395 He weren hirde-men. a 1300 Cursor M. 28396 Myn hird-men and als oþer maa Haf i þaire seruis halden fra. c 1400 Mandeville (Roxb.) xxiv. 110 Þai..ware made hird⁓men and kepers of bestez. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 236/2 Heerd mann, pastor, agaso. 1523 Fitzherb. Husb. §123 The herdman wyll haue for euery beest .ii. d. a quarter. 1535 Coverdale Isa. xl. 11 He shal fede his flock like an hirdman. 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 66 Plow⁓men, Heardmen, and Shepehards. 1611 Bible Gen. xiii. 7 There was a strife betweene the heardmen of Abrams cattell, and the heardmen of Lots cattell. 1635–56 Cowley Davideis iii. 217 In vain the Herdman calls him back. |
b. fig. and transf. esp. A spiritual pastor.
| c 1320 Cast. Love 587 Þenne nis þer such an herde-mon non Ne non so miȝtful lord as he is on. c 1477 Caxton Jason 71 b, We wyll that thou be our pastour or herdman. 1553 Primer in Liturg. & Doc. Edw. VI, (1844) 457 Shepherd, and Herdman of our souls. |