- ranch (n.)
- 1808, "country house," from American Spanish rancho "small farm, group of farm huts," from Spanish rancho, originally, "group of people who eat together," from ranchear "to lodge or station," from Old French ranger "install in position," from rang "row, line" (see rank (n.)). Sense of "large cattle-breeding estate" is from 1831. Of houses, "single-story, split-level" from 1950. Ranchero "one employed on a ranch" is from 1826.