I. ˈshepə(r)d noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English sheephirde, sheepherde, shephirde, shepherde, from Old English scēaphyrde, from scēap sheep + hyrde herdsman — more at sheep , herd
1. : a man employed in tending, feeding, and guarding sheep, especially in a flock that is grazing
2. : one charged with the religious care and guidance of others : pastor
3. : a dog used as or considered suitable for use as a sheep dog ; especially : one of any of several breeds having shepherd as part of their name
toy shepherd
— see german shepherd
4. : shepherd king
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to tend as a shepherd
2. : to gather, guard, herd, lead, or drive in the manner of a shepherd : escort , conduct
a lawyer friend shepherded her into investment in two houses — Rex Ingamells
gray ships, shepherded by sleek naval craft, off-loaded — A.H.Brown
officers started shepherding the wounded aboard the hospital train — Fred Majdalany
parents … shepherding a good-sized group of youngsters on an excursion — Dorothy Barclay
3. : to give spiritual guidance to
four missionaries … hurried back to bury the dead and shepherd the living — W.C.Fairfield