General Terms:
* Branding Iron: A hot iron used to mark cattle with a unique symbol. Can also be used figuratively, meaning something that leaves a lasting mark.
* Chuck Wagon: A mobile kitchen used for cooking and eating on the trail.
* Dogie: A young, motherless calf. Often used to describe a young, inexperienced person.
* Herd: A group of cattle. Also used to describe a group of people.
* Howdy: A greeting, short for "How do you do?"
* Maverick: An unbranded animal. Also describes an independent, nonconformist person.
* Roping: The act of catching an animal with a lasso. Can be used figuratively to describe any challenging task.
* Stampede: A sudden, uncontrolled rush of animals. Also describes a chaotic situation.
* Trail Boss: The leader of a cattle drive. Can also describe any leader or manager.
* Wrangler: A cowboy who cares for horses. Can also refer to a person who tackles a difficult job.
Animal Related:
* Bronc: A wild, unbroken horse.
* Chuck: To throw or toss something, often food.
* Colt: A young male horse.
* Filly: A young female horse.
* Mustangs: Wild horses.
* Steer: A male cow that has been castrated.
* Yearling: An animal that is one year old.
Actions & Activities:
* Buckeroo: A cowboy.
* Chasin' Cows: Herding cattle.
* Dust Devil: A small, whirling dust storm.
* Git Along, Little Dogies: A famous cowboy song about herding cattle.
* Roundup: Gathering cattle.
* Saddle Sore: Painful muscles from riding a horse.
* Saddle Up: Get ready to ride.
* Skinning a Cat: A way of doing something that is difficult or unusual.
Other:
* Dry Gulch: A canyon or valley without water.
* High Noon: Midday.
* Prairie Dog: A small, burrowing rodent.
* Yeehaw: An exclamation of excitement or approval.
Remember:
* Many cowboy slang terms have multiple meanings.
* The context is important for understanding what is being said.
* The language is evolving, with new terms emerging and older ones fading away.
This is just a taste of the vast vocabulary of cowboy slang. If you're interested in learning more, there are many resources available online and in libraries.