ˌdeprəˈdāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English depredacioun, from Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French depredation, from Late Latin depraedation-, depraedatio, from depraedatus + Latin -ion-, -io -ion
1.
a. : the act of depredating or the state of being depredated : an act of plundering, despoiling, or making inroads
b. depredations plural : ravages
trying to ease the depredations of the disease
2. Scots law : the forcible driving away of cattle in large numbers