A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. Cattle drives ensure the herds health in finding pasture and bring them to market. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of special significance and legend. A subtype, called a wrangler, specifically tends the horses used to work cattle. In addition to ranch work, some cowboys work for or participate in rodeos. Cowgirls, first defined as such in the late 19th century, had a less well-documented historical role, but in the modern world work at identical tasks and have obtained considerable respect for their achievements. Cattle handlers in many other parts of the world, particularly in South America and stockmen and jackaroos in Australia, perform work similar to the cowboy.

വടക്കേയമേരിക്കൻ മേച്ചിൽപ്പുറങ്ങളിൽ കുതിരപ്പുറത്തേറി കാലിമേക്കുന്നവരാണ് കൗബോയ് എന്നറിയപ്പെടുന്നത്. കാലിമേക്കലിനുപുറമേ ഇവരിൽച്ചിലർ മൃഗങ്ങളെ ഉൾപ്പെടുത്തിയ അഭ്യാസങ്ങളിലും ഏർപ്പെടുന്നു.