Graze

v. t. [imp. & p. p. GRAZED; p. pr. & vb. n. GRAZING.] [A-S. grasian, from grās, grass; D. grazen, N. H. Ger. grasen, O. H. Ger. grasōn. See GRASS.]

1Sense 1. To rub or touch lightly in passing; to brush lightly the surface of a thing in passing; as, the bullet grazed the wall or the earth.

2Sense 2. To feed or supply, as cattle, with grass; to furnish pasture for.

So much ground as would scarce graze the goslings. Kennett.

3Sense 3. To feed on; to eat from the ground, as growing herbage.

The lambs with wolves shall graze the verdant mead. Pope.

4Sense 4. To tend grazing cattle.

When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheep. Shak.

v. i. 1. To eat grass; to feed on growing herbage; as, cattle graze on the meadows.

Like the empty ass, to shake his ears And graze on commons. Shak.

2Sense 2. To supply grass; as, the ground will not graze well. Bacon.