Definition of the word graze

The word "graze" originated from the Middle English word "gresen," which ultimately derived from the Old English word "grāsan" meaning "to nibble or crop or graze." This Old English word can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*grāsaną," which is thought to have a representation in other Germanic languages, such as Old Norse "grasi," meaning "to eat grass," and Old Frisian "grāsin," meaning "to feed." The Old English word "grāsan" itself evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "*kradzaną," which means "to scrape or scratch," possibly suggesting an origin in the act of scraping or nibbling at food. The word entered Old French during the Norman Conquest, where it was "greser," and eventually made its way into Middle English, where it became "gresen." Today, the word "graze" is commonly used to describe the act of feeding on pasture or grass, particularly by livestock such as cows, sheep, and horses. It can also be used figuratively to describe a similar light or continuous nibbling, such as in the phrase "graze on information."