ranch

Where does the word "ranch" come from? It comes from Spanish rancho, passing through Mexican Spanish before entering English (1800s).

Ranch’s story begins in Spanish: rancho meant “a mess of people, a small farm.” A group messing together, a small farm. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in Mexican Spanish as rancho. Came to mean a large cattle-raising estate. It reached English by 1800s as ranch. Spanish 'rancho', a small settlement or camp. Today, ranch means a large farm, especially one used for raising livestock.

1. Stage 1 · Spanish · medieval rancho "a mess of people, a small farm", a group messing together, a small farm.
2. Stage 2 · Mexican Spanish · 1700s rancho "a cattle estate", came to mean a large cattle-raising estate.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s ranch "a large farm for raising livestock", Spanish 'rancho', a small settlement or camp.