One of the many terms of endearment that Ennis and Jack refer to each other as, besides "cowboy", "darlin'" and "bitch", is "
buddy". In fact, they use that elusive term as an explanation of their relationship to their wives as the other being their fishin' or huntin' "
buddy".
=aside= Dre
I've advised Ennis-like Dre that from now on with his str8 palz, instead of referring to me as his "housemate" (ha! ha!) or the "Gay Bytch" (he! ho!), he can refer to me as his "buddy"!