buckaroo

English

Examples of the heels on buckaroo-style cowboy boots (3)

Alternative forms

• buckeroo

Etymology

First attested in 1889. Derived from Spanish vaquero (“cowboy”), from Vulgar Latin vaccārius (“cowherder, rancher”); compare Merovingian Late Latin baccalarius (“cowherder serving under a farmer or feudal lord; a youth?”). Akin to vaca (“cow”), from Latin vacca +‎ -ero. Spelling influenced by buck. Cognate to French vacher, etc. Doublet of vaquero.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌbʌkəˈɹu/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -uː

Noun

buckaroo (plural buckaroos)

1. A cowboy; specifically, a working cowboy who generally does not partake in rodeos.
   • 2005, Larry McMurtry, Diana Ossana, 00:51:25 from the start, in Brokeback Mountain:

     No thanks, cowboy. If I was to let every rodeo hand I pulled a bull off of buy me liquor, I'd have been an alcoholic long ago. Pullin' bulls off of you buckaroos is just my job. So save your money for your next entry fee, cowboy.

2. One who sports a distinctive buckaroo style of cowboy clothing, boots, and heritage.

   Many cowboy poets have a buckaroo look and feel about them.

3. A style of cowboy boot with a high and uniquely tapered heel.
4. (Western US) A reckless, headstrong person.

   Don’t run in looking for a fight like some kind of buckaroo.

5. (slang) A dollar; a buck.

   That’ll be twenty buckaroos, buddy.

Derived terms

• buckarette