Shepherdess
/ˈʃɛp.ər.dɛs/noun
A female shepherd, someone who tends and herds sheep.
Did you know?In ancient cultures, shepherds were often seen as guardians of the soul, connecting them to divine protection and guidance in the spiritual realm.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ḱeḱs
“to protect, to guard”
Old English
Old English
sceaphierde
“sheep herder, one who tends sheep”
Middle English
Middle English
shepherd
“a person who tends sheep, deriving from Old English”
14th Century
Middle English
shepherdesse
“female shepherd, one who cares for sheep”
Modern English
English
shepherdess
“a feminine designation for a shepherd, emphasizing the role of women in pastoral care.”