forager
(ˈfɒrɪdʒə(r))
Forms: α. 4–7 forager(e, 5–6 fourrager, (6 forageour, forragiour, foriger), 6–7 forrager, 6– forager. β. 6 foranger, -enger, -inger.
[ad. OF. forragier, f. forrage forage n.; also a. OF. fourrageour, agent-n. f. fourragier forage v. With the βforms cf. messenger, passenger.]
† 1. A harbinger, messenger. Obs. Cf. forayer 2.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. xx. 84 Frenesyes & foule yueles forageres of kynde. 1616 J. Lane Sqr.'s T. (1888) 122 note, Much praisinge love (of peace the harbinger), mild truithes, sterne iustices kind foragere. |
2. One of a party sent out to gather forage, etc. for an army. † Also a spoiler, ravager.
| 1489 Caxton Faytes of A. i. xiv. 36 Not trust onely vpon that that his fourragers shall bringe. 1525 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. xxxiii. 39 b/2 If the spanish forangers were stronger, than they wold take theyr forag fro them. 1552 Huloet, Forager or waster of a countrey, populator. 1581 Styward Mart. Discipl. i. 16 Horse..to gard and defend the foringers. 1624 Heywood Gunaik. iv. 173 Certaine forragers and robbers that made sundry incursions into the countrie. 1799 Wellington 7 Apr. in Gurw. Desp. I. 27 The foragers are coming in fast well loaded with forage. 1865 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. X. xxi. vi. 119 The continual skirmishing with the Prussian foragers. |
b. A foraging ant (Eciton).
| [1834 Medwin Angler in Wales II. 47 They [ants] keep a party of foragers constantly on the lookout.] 1863 Bates Nat. Amazon II. v. 352 One of the foragers, Eciton rapax..hunts in single file through the forest. |
3. One who goes foraging for himself. Also fig.
| 1621 G. Sandys Ovid's Met. ii. (1626) 34 The Wood's wild foragers espy'd. 1742 Young Nt. Th. v. 253 This forager on others wisdom. 1777 Mason Eng. Garden ii. 278 Down so smooth a slope, The fleecy foragers will gladly browse. 1890 Century Mag. May 48/1 A nervous restless disposition, which makes them [poultry]..excellent foragers. |
4. = forage-cap.
| 1891 Daily News 14 Feb. 3/6 It is expected that the new folding cap..will be shortly condemned in favour of the all⁓round forager, which it was intended to supersede. |