👉 Waco is a town located in the state of Texas, United States. It was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1541 as an outpost to protect the Mexican territory from the Spanish Empire's expansion into the American Southwest. The name "waco" comes from the Spanish word "caño," which means small canal or river, and refers to a narrow passage used for transportation during the time of the early Spanish settlements in Texas. Today, Waco is known as the site