dogie
Definition
- Noun:
- A motherless calf in a range herd of cattle: A young calf, typically a weanling or yearling, that has become separated from or lost its mother and is being raised with a herd on open range.
Usage
- The term "dogie" is used specifically in the context of cattle ranching in North America, particularly in the western United States and Canada. It describes a calf that must be cared for separately because it is orphaned or has been weaned early.
Examples
- Noun:
- The cowboy found a lone dogie by the creek and brought it back to the ranch.
- Raising a dogie requires extra feed and attention from the rancher.
Advanced Usage
- Historical/Cultural Context: The word "dogie" is deeply associated with the lore and language of the American cowboy and cattle drives. Its origin is uncertain but is often thought to come from "dough-guts," referring to the calf's distended belly from eating unsuitable grass.
Variants and Related Words
- Dogy: An alternative, less common spelling of "dogie."
- Orphan calf: A more general, descriptive term.
- Leppy: A regional synonym used in some parts of the American West for a motherless calf.
Synonyms
- Orphan calf: A calf without a mother.
- Weaner: A calf that has been weaned from its mother, though not necessarily orphaned.
Antonyms
- Suckling calf: A calf that is still nursing from its mother.
- Cow-calf pair: A mother cow and her calf together as a unit.
Noun
-
motherless calf in a range herd of cattle
