[ranch] n [MexSp rancho small ranch, fr. Sp, camp, hut & Sp dial., small farm, fr. OSp ranchearse to take up quarters, fr. MF se ranger to take up a position, fr. ranger to set in a row--more at range] (1831) 1: a large farm for raising horses, beef cattle, or sheep
2: a farm or area devoted to a particular specialty
3: ranch house
[2]ranch vi (1866): to live or work on a ranch ~ vt 1: to work as a rancher on
2: to raise on a ranch