'cowherd' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'cūhyrde', where 'cū' meant 'cow' and 'hyrde' meant 'herder'.

'cūhyrde' transformed into the Middle English word 'cowherde', and eventually became the modern English word 'cowherd'.

Initially, it meant 'a person who herds cows', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.