Herd | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Hĕrd, n.

noun

(14), n. [A-S. heord, hiord, hiored, O. Sax. & O. H. Ger. herta, M. H. Ger. hert, N. H. Ger. & D. herde, Icel. hiördh, Sw. hjord, Dan. hiord, Goth. hairda, allied to Slav. tshrieda, Pol. trzoda; whence O. Fr. herde.]

Sense 1. A number of beasts assembled together; as, a herd of horses, oxen, cattle, camels, elephants, bucks, harts, or of swine.

☞ Herd is distinguished from flock, as being chiefly applied to the larger animals; as, a flock of sheep, goats, or birds. A number of cattle, when driven to market, is called a drove.

Sense 2. A company of men or people; —said in contempt or detestation; a crowd; a rabble; as, a vulgar herd.

You can never interest the common herd in the abstract question. Coleridge.

Hērd, n.

noun

n. [A-S. hirde, hierde, hyrde, Sw. herde, Dan. hyrde, hyre, Icel. hirdhingi, O. H. Ger. hirdi, hirti, M. H. Ger. hirte, N. H. Ger. hirt, Goth. hairdeis, from herd, flock, herd, swarm, A-S. heord, &c. See supra.] One who herds or assembles domestic animals; — much used in composition; as, a shepherd, a goatherd, and the like.

Hērd, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [imp. & p. p. HERDED; p. pr. & vb. n. HERDING.]

To unite or associate in a herd, as beasts; to feed or run in collections: as, many kinds of beasts manifest a disposition to herd.
To associate; to unite in a company or in companies, by custom or inclination.

*I'll herd among his friends, and seem One of the number.* Addison.

Hērd, v. t.

verbtransitive

To form or put into a herd. B. Jonson.