botanize

[ bot-n-ahyz ]

verb (used without object)

, bot·a·nized, bot·a·niz·ing.

1. to study plants or plant life.
2. to collect plants for scientific study.

verb (used with object)

, bot·a·nized, bot·a·niz·ing.

1. to explore botanically; study the plant life of.

botanize

/ ˈbɒtəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. intr to collect or study plants
2. tr to explore and study the plants in (an area or region)

Other Words From

• bota·nizer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of botanize¹

1760–70; < New Latin botanizāre < Greek botanízein to gather plants. See botanist, -ize

Example Sentences

Armed with magnifying glasses, the group travels along a busy route whose traffic doesn’t deter them from botanizing.

From Seattle Times

Gardeners will savor stories of 19th century botanizing and appreciate Hosack’s quest to save a garden, the most ephemeral of treasures, for posterity.

From Seattle Times

“After two months using Fort Smith as the base for his botanizing and exploring, Nuttall left the garrison on July 6,” Patterson writes.

From Washington Times

She liked to botanize, collecting specimens of plants along the route.

From National Geographic

In this country, Linnaeus was enraptured, botanizing among the unique high elevation tundra flowers.

From New York Times