forage

/ˈfɔrɪdʒ/
noun
  1. Food for animals, especially livestock or wild animals, such as grass, hay, or plants.
    • The farmer stored enough forage to feed the cattle through the winter.
    • The horses were turned out into the pasture to eat the natural forage.
    • In the dry season, the animals struggle to find fresh forage.
Synonyms
verb
  1. To search for food or supplies, especially by wandering or exploring.
    • During the camping trip, we had to forage for firewood to keep warm.
    • The deer forage in the forest for berries and leaves.
    • Squirrels forage for nuts in the fall to store for winter.
  2. To search for something in a thorough or active way.
    • She foraged through the attic looking for old photographs.
    • He foraged in the kitchen for a snack before dinner.
    • The reporter foraged through public records to find information for the story.