pasture

pasture land used for grazing livestock. Land unsuited for cultivation, e.g., hilly or stony land, may be used as pasture. Tilled land and meadow may be pastured after the crops are removed. Pastures that have been overgrazed and in which such soil-improving practices as liming, fertilizing, and seeding have been neglected lose a part of the feed nutrients required by livestock. Good management of pastures also calls for rotation of animals, because the composition of manure, which affects the nutrients in the soil, varies with the kind of animal being grazed, and also because different animals graze on different species of pasturage plants. Among other requirements are a sufficient water supply, trees to provide shade, and eradication of weeds. Most forage plants seeded in pastures are types of grass or clover . Many are suitable not only for grazing but also for cutting and storage as hay . See also range .

pas·ture / ˈpaschər/ • n. land covered with grass and other low plants suitable for grazing animals, esp. cattle or sheep. ∎  the grass and herbage growing on such land: do not let your pasture grow too fast so that the plants become rank. ∎  fig. a place or activity regarded as offering new opportunities: he has departed for the greener pastures of a corner office. • v. [tr.] put (animals) in a pasture to graze: they pastured their cows in the water meadow. ∎  [intr.] (of animals) graze: the livestock pastured and the crops grew. PHRASES: put someone out to pasture force someone to retire.

pasture growing grass for cattle XIII; †feeding, food XIV. — OF. pasture (mod pâture):- late L. pāstūra, f. pp. stem of pāscere feed, pasture.
So vb. XIV. — OF. pasturer (mod. pâturer). pasturage XVI.