I. ˈsīlij, -lēj noun
( -s )
Etymology: short for ensilage (I)
: fodder (as of field corn, sorghum, grass, or clover) either green or mature converted into succulent winter feed for livestock through processes of fermentation usually by being cut fine and blown into an airtight chamber (as a silo) where it is compressed to exclude air and where it undergoes an acid fermentation that retards spoiling — called also ensilage
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: ensile