Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FOR'AGE, n. [Fr. fourrage; Arm. fouraich; It. foraggio; Sp. forrage; Port. forragem; D. voeraadge. If this word signifies primarily food or fodder, it is connected with W. pori, to feed, and L. voro. But I take it to be from the root of Sax. faran, to go and primarily to signify that which is collected in wandering, roving, excursion. In Port. foragido is a vagabond, and forrejar is to waste, to ravage.]

1. Food of any kind for horses and cattle, as grass, pasture, hay, corn and oats.
2. The act of providing forage. Col. Mawhood completed his forage unmolested. Marshall. If the forage is to be made at a distance from the camp. Encyc.
3. Search for provisions; the act of feeding abroad. Milton.