See Also: cowboy(dictionary)
cowboy(encyclopedia)
cowboy hat(dictionary)
cowboy(dictionary)
Cowboy - Poker(gambling)
Cowboy Caviar(recipes)
Cowboy Cookies(recipes)
Cowboy in a Shroud(recipes)
COWBOY COUNTRY Credit Union(finance)

cowboy (iou)



cowboy noun & adjective. Esp. in sense A.1 also cow boy, cow-boy. E17.
[from COW noun1 + BOY noun.]
A. noun.
A boy who tends cows. E17.
US History. In the War of Independence, a member of a band of pro-British marauders operating near New York. L18.
N. Amer. A mounted cattle-herder or rancher; spec. one employed to drive large herds of cattle to new pastures, shipping-points, etc., in the days of open ranges, c 1865-90 (later a stock character in the genre of westerns). M19.
cowboys and Indians a children's game in which conflicts between cowboys and American Indians are imitated.
A boisterous, unruly, or aggressive young man. slang. E20.
drugstore cowboy: see DRUG noun1.
A reckless or irresponsible motorist. colloq. M20.
A person who undercuts established traders or operators with an inferior service or product; an unqualified or unauthorized trader or operator; a trader or operator who employs sharp practices. colloq. L20.
Comb.: cowboy boots high-heeled, freq. richly ornamented, boots of a style worn by cowboys.
b. attrib. or as adjective. Irresponsible, dubiously legal; providing an inferior service or product; employing sharp practices. colloq. M20.
Times A 'cowboy' carpet fitter has left a trail of complaints in South Yorkshire.