I. ˈfȯr-ij, ˈfär- noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from fuerre, foer fodder, straw, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fuotar food, fodder — more at food
Date: 14th century
1. : food for animals especially when taken by browsing or grazing
2.
[ forage (II)]
: the act of foraging : search for provisions
II. verb
( for·aged ; for·ag·ing )
Date: 15th century
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