DCHP-2

ranch ((1)) ((v.)) 1 † DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

• 1 v. — West

  engage in farming, especially in raising livestock. Also ranch it.

  See also: rancher (def. 1)  

  • 1891  . . . a cousin who was ranching it out west sent me an invitation. . . .
  • 1904  (1933)  So I drifted round, dug for gold a little, ranched a little, just like now, gambled a little, sold whisky a little, nothing very much.

• 2 v.

  exploit as rangeland for raising livestock.

  • 1965  If the central Arctic were being systematically "ranched" with caribou herds, the value of these herds would probably be not less than a hundred million dollars.

• 3 v.

  breed and raise (animals) on a fur farm (def. 1).

  See also: ranch ((1)) ((n.)) (def. 2a)  ranched  rancher (def. 2)  ranching (def. 2)  

  • 1931  Ranching foxes is one of the most interesting occupations there is. . . .
  • 1964  [Advert.] We do _NOT offer to ranch your chinchillas for you--or offer to purchase back your reproduction.