I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: cow (I) + boy
1. : a boy that tends cows
2.
a. : one of a band of loyalist guerillas and irregular cavalry that operated mostly in Westchester county, New York, during the American Revolution — compare skinner 2
b. : an outlaw or gangster in the early days of the United States West
3.
a. : one who tends and drives herds of cattle particularly in western United States and Canada ; typically : a distinctively accoutered horseman tending large herds of beef cattle — called also cowpuncher, puncher
b. : a usually mounted cattle ranch hand
c.
(1) : a rodeo rider : a performer who gives exhibitions of roping, riding, bulldogging
(2) : an actor whose usual role is that of a cowboy, a gunman, or adventurer in a western
4. : new bronze
5. : one given to display or to recklessness ; especially : an automobile driver who violates rules of safety and law
a cautious highway cyclist, though; no cowboy stuff — W.L.Gresham
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to drive an automobile recklessly