I. ˈshe-pərd noun
Etymology: Middle English sheepherde, from Old English scēaphyrde, from scēap sheep + hierde herdsman; akin to Old English heord herd
Date: before 12th century
1. : a person who tends sheep
2. : pastor
3. : German shepherd
II. transitive verb
Date: 1790
1. : to tend as a shepherd
2. : to guide or guard in the manner of a shepherd
shepherd ed the bill through Congress