I. ˈranch, ˈraa(ə)nch, ˈrainch, ˈrȧnch transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English ranschen, ranchen, alteration of rasen, racen — more at rase
archaic : scratch , tear
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Mexican Spanish rancho small ranch, from Spanish, camp, temporary habitation, hut & Spanish dialect (Andalusia), small farm, from Old Spanish ranchar(se), ranchear(se) to take up quarters, be billeted, from Middle French ( se ) ranger to take up a position, be quartered, from ranger to set in a row, place, station — more at range
1. : an establishment for the grazing and rearing of horses, cattle, or sheep that usually includes the buildings occupied by the owner and employees with the adjacent barns and corrals
2. : a farm of any size usually devoted to the raising of one particular specialty
poultry ranch
wheat ranch
mink ranch
3. : dude ranch
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
intransitive verb
: to live or work on a ranch : engage in the business of a rancher
transitive verb
1. : to work as a rancher on
settlers who ranch the dry uplands — Elspeth Huxley
2. : to raise on a ranch
ranches cattle — Time
3. : to breed and care for (fur-bearing animals) on or as if on a ranch ; especially : to care for animals belonging to another on shares or for a fee
do not offer to ranch animals for the purchaser for an indefinite period of time — National Fur News
IV. adjective
of furs : coming from animals bred and raised in captivity — compare wild