depredation

Definition

An act of consuming agricultural resources (crops, livestock), especially as plunder.

Etymology

From Middle French déprédation, from Latin depraedatio.

Example Sentences

• "An animal that produces only two to four young per year cannot suffer vast depredations on the adult population without drastic effects."
• "Depredation of cultivated crops by elephants is widespread in both Africa and Asia."
• "Union Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman had long known that his fragile supply and communication lines through Tennessee were in serious jeopardy because of depredations by Forrest's cavalry raids. (Battle of Brice's Crossroads)"

Related Words