Main Entry:

strafe

Pronunciation:

\ˈstrāf, especially British ˈsträf\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

strafed; straf·ing

Etymology:

German Gott strafe England may God punish England, German propaganda slogan during World War I

Date:

1915

: to rake (as ground troops) with fire at close range and especially with machine-gun fire from low-flying aircraft

— strafe noun

— straf·er noun