Cowboys' charges

HERDS

"Hint: "Groups under a rancher's watch." This hint keeps the context of cowboys (ranchers) and suggests the idea of groups they oversee, guiding the solver toward "herds" without directly stating it."

The clue "Cowboys' charges" leads to the answer "HERDS" through a straightforward definition combined with a bit of wordplay. "Cowboys" refers to ranchers or cattle handlers, whose primary responsibility is managing livestock. "Charges" in this context doesn’t mean fees or accusations but rather the animals (or groups of animals) under their care.