forage

¹for·age

noun \ˈfȯr-ij, ˈfär-\

Definition of FORAGE

1

: food for animals especially when taken by browsing or grazing

2

[²forage] : the act of foraging : search for provisions

Examples of FORAGE

1. The grass serves as forage for livestock.

Origin of FORAGE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from fuerre, foer fodder, straw, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fuotar food, fodder — more at food

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

Rhymes with FORAGE

borage, porridge, storage

²forage

verb

for·agedfor·ag·ing

Definition of FORAGE

transitive verb

1

: to strip of provisions : collect forage from

2

: to secure by foraging <foraged a chicken for the feast>

intransitive verb

1

: to wander in search of forage or food

2

: to secure forage (as for horses) by stripping the country

3

: ravage, raid

4

: to make a search : rummage

— for·ag·er noun

Examples of FORAGE

1. The cows were foraging in the pasture.
2. He had to forage for firewood.

First Known Use of FORAGE

15th century

Related to FORAGE

Synonyms

browse, ¹graze, pasture, rustle

Related Words

eat, feed, nibble; range, stock; overgraze

Rhymes with FORAGE

barrage

forage

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Vegetable food, including corn and hay, of wild or domestic animals. Harvested, processed, and stored forage is called silage. Forage should be harvested in early maturity to avoid a decrease in protein and fibre content as crops mature.