graze
UK[ɡreɪz]US[ɡreɪz]
v
(of cattle, sheep, etc.) to eat grass that is growing in a field
v
to injure your skin by rubbing it against something rough
v
to touch something lightly while passing it
Etymology
The verb 'graze' originates from the Old English 'grasian', meaning "to feed on grass," which itself is derived from 'græs', the Old English word for "grass." This Germanic root, grasam, is related to the growth and consumption of vegetation. Over time, the meaning broadened metaphorically; the sense of lightly touching or scraping a surface, first recorded in the late 16th century, evokes the image of an object passing over a surface as lightly as an animal's mouth over grass. Thus, the core concept evolved from the literal act of feeding on pasture to encompass any light, superficial contact.
Analysis
The modern English word 'graze' is a single, unsegmentable morpheme derived from Old English 'grasian', meaning "to feed on grass." Its functional role is as a verb.
Examples
The sheep were grazing peacefully in the meadow.
She fell off her bike and grazed her knee on the pavement.
The bullet only managed to graze the side of the vehicle.