From Ralph Clark,
Your Guide to Rodeo.
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Definition: Literally Spanish for "cowboy."

It was the designation used by early Spanish and Mexicans for men who worked with cattle and other livestock on ranchos or ranches.

Not to be confused with the more formal term of Caballero which literally means 'horseman' but is properly translated as gentleman.

The term 'buckaroo' is an English mispronunciation of vaquero.

Vaca is the Spanish word for cow.
Caballo is the Spanish word for horse.

Also Known As: Some other terms for vaquero are: cowboy, drover, buckaroo, rounder, cowpunch, cattleman, gaucho, and paniolo.