n. & v.
--n.
1. a large number of animals, esp. cattle, feeding or travelling or kept together.
2 (prec. by the) derog. a large number of people; a mob (prefers not to follow the herd).
3 (esp. in comb.) a keeper of herds; a herdsman (cowherd).
--v.
1. intr. & tr. go or cause to go in a herd (herded together for warmth; herded the cattle into the field).
2 tr. tend (sheep, cattle, etc.) (he herds the goats).
Phrases and idioms:
herd-book a book recording the pedigrees of cattle or pigs. the herd instinct the tendency of associating or conforming with one's own kind for support etc. ride herd on US keep watch on.
Derivatives:
herder n.
Etymology: OE heord, (in sense 3) hirdi, f. Gmc