forager

[ fawr-i-jer, for- ]

noun

1. a person or animal who goes out in search of food or provisions of any kind:

   The ants you see are the foragers, out looking for food and water, and they represent only a very small number of the total colony.

2. someone who collects or obtains things through hunting or searching about:

   We meet the protagonist struggling to make ends meet as a scrap-metal forager in a remote community.

Word History and Origins

Origin of forager¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, for an earlier sense; forag(e) ( def ) + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

The needles likely were used to create garments from the animals' furs to keep the early foragers warm in what was a cool climate.

From Science Daily

The organisation urges foragers to follow the Countryside Code - respect, protect and enjoy.

From BBC

Dean Neff, chef-owner of Seabird in Wilmington, NC, says "We have an incredible diversity in this area – from farmers to foragers and fishers. That makes for a really dynamic place to be cooking."

From Salon

And on her new plant and fungi walks, starting this month, Bay Area forager Cindy Li will share knowledge gained foraging with her immigrant parents.

From Salon

“We are all descended from successful foragers in the deep, deep past.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bandit
• burglar
• con artist
• crook
• looter
• marauder
• mugger
• pickpocket
• pirate
• raider
• rustler
• shoplifter
• swindler
• thief
• thug