I. ˈfȯrij, ˈfär-, -rēj noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French fourage, forage, from Old French, from forre, fuerre fodder, straw, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fuotar food, fodder — more at food
1.
a. : vegetable food (as hay, grain) for domestic animals
forage crop
b. : food that wild or domestic animals take for themselves
2.
[ forage (II) ]
: the act of foraging : search for provisions
they skirt the land like scouts upon a forage — Eileen Duggan
II. “, esp in pres part -rəj verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English foragen, from Middle French fourager, from fourage
transitive verb
1.
a. : a strip of provisions : collect forage from
b. archaic : spoil , plunder
2. : to supply (as horses and cattle) with forage
3. : to secure by foraging
foraged a chicken for the feast
intransitive verb
1. : to wander or rove in search of forage or food
2. : to secure forage (as for horses and cattle) by stripping the country
3. : ravage , raid
4. : to make a search : rummage
foraging in his pockets for a match
went foraging for bedroom slippers, shaving mirrors, and stationery — Bill Davidson
III. ˈfȯrij noun
( -s )
Etymology: by folk etymology
: fore edge
forage painting in bookbinding