Hayings

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act or process of cutting and drying grass or other plants for animal fodder
2. A period during which grass is harvested and processed for use as feed
3. A method of maintaining and managing agricultural land through forage production

Etymology: "Hayings" is simply the plural of "haying," the activity of cutting, drying and gathering grass as fodder for livestock. The noun is formed from "hay," which comes from Old English "hieg," and the suffix "-ing," which turns a verb into a noun naming an action or process. Plurals of such nouns are used when the work happens in separate sessions or across different fields, so "hayings" refers to several rounds of that labour.

Synonyms: haymaking, harvesting