There are several hypotheses concerning the origin of the term. It may derive from the Spanish term , in turn derived from a Turkish low-rank military term Chiaus (), through Arabic which became broadly applied to any guard/watcher or aide. The first recorded use of the term dates to Argentine independence in 1816. Another scenario indicates the word may derive from the Portuguese , which was designated to the inhabitants of the vast regions of and in the 18th century or the Portuguese that points to an instrument used by the gauchos to trap and hamstring cattle. The 18th century chronicler speaks of when it mentions the gauchos or as poorly dressed men.