I. ˈgrāz verb
( grazed ; graz·ing )
Etymology: Middle English grasen, from Old English grasian, from græs grass
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to feed on growing herbage, attached algae, or phytoplankton
2. : to eat small portions of food throughout the day
transitive verb
1.
a. : to crop and eat in the field
b. : to feed on the herbage of
2.
a. : to put to graze
grazed the cows on the meadow
b. : to put cattle to graze on
3. : to supply herbage for the grazing of
• graze·able or graz·able ˈgrā-zə-bəl adjective
• graz·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1857
1. : an act of grazing
2. : herbage for grazing
III. verb
( grazed ; graz·ing )
Etymology: perhaps from graze (I)
Date: 1604
transitive verb
1. : to touch lightly in passing
2. : abrade , scratch
grazed her knee when she fell
intransitive verb
: to touch or rub against something in passing
IV. noun
Date: 1847
: a scraping along a surface or an abrasion made by it ; especially : a superficial abrasion of the skin