I. ˈfȯˌrā, ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ also ˈfäˌ- or ˈfōˌ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English forrayen, from Middle French forrer, from forre, fuerre fodder, straw — more at forage
transitive verb
archaic : to ravage in search of spoils : pillage
he might foray our lands — Sir Walter Scott
intransitive verb
: to make a raid or brief invasion
forayed briefly into enemy territory
: forage , pillage
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English forray, from forrayen, v.
1. : a sudden or irregular incursion for war or spoils : raid
abandoned its attacks against our principal ports except for attempted sneak and surprise forays — D.D.Eisenhower
: attack
these legislative forays became tedious — New Republic
2. obsolete : spoils won in a foray : booty