graze

graze

graze¹ [grāz]

vt.

grazed, grazing [ME grasen < OE grasian < base of græs, gærs, GRASS]

1. to feed on (growing grass, herbage, a pasture, etc.)

2. to put livestock to feed on (growing grass, herbage, etc.)

3. to tend (feeding livestock)

4. to feed on the pasturage of (land)

vi.

1. to feed on growing grass, etc.

2. Informal

a) to snack all day instead of eating regular meals

b) to eat small portions of different foods, as appetizers or samples of entrees

grazer

n.

graze² [grāz]

vt.

grazed, grazing [prob. < GRAZE¹ in sense “to come close to the grass”]

1. to touch or rub lightly in passing

2. to scrape or scratch in passing [a bullet grazed his thigh]

vi.

to scrape, touch, or rub lightly against something in passing

n.

1. the act of grazing

2. a slight scratch or scrape caused by grazing