herdsman
    n 1: someone who drives a herd [syn: herder, herdsman,
         drover]

Herdman \Herd"man\, Herdsman \Herds"man\, n.; pl. -men.
   The owner or keeper of a herd or of herds; one employed in
   tending a herd of cattle.
   [1913 Webster]

Herdsman
   In Egypt herdsmen were probably of the lowest caste. Some of
   Joseph's brethren were made rulers over Pharaoh's cattle (Gen.
   47:6, 17). The Israelites were known in Egypt as "keepers of
   cattle;" and when they left it they took their flocks and herds
   with them (Ex. 12:38). Both David and Saul came from "following
   the herd" to occupy the throne (1 Sam. 9; 11:5; Ps. 78:70).
   David's herd-masters were among his chief officers of state. The
   daughters also of wealthy chiefs were wont to tend the flocks of
   the family (Gen. 29:9; Ex. 2:16). The "chief of the herdsmen"
   was in the time of the monarchy an officer of high rank (1 Sam.
   21:7; comp. 1 Chr. 27:29). The herdsmen lived in tents (Isa.
   38:12; Jer. 6:3); and there were folds for the cattle (Num.
   32:16), and watch-towers for the herdsmen, that he might
   therefrom observe any coming danger (Micah 4:8; Nah. 3:8).