overbrowse

verb

over·​browse ˌō-vər-ˈbrau̇z 

overbrowsed; overbrowsing

transitive + intransitive

: to cause damage by excessive browsing

The Game Commission's concern is that deer not be allowed to overbrowse these areas.

—P. J. Reilly

Scientists believe the island's first moose … were so prolific that the island's balsam firs, aspens and other trees were severely overbrowsed.

—John Flesher

If the habitat cannot support the deer population, deer will overbrowse and do significant crop and habitat damage.

—Darren Warner

Examples of overbrowse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The moose also contribute to their own demise by overbrowsing the young trees, which prevents them from maturing and dropping pine cones that would create more firs. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 June 2023

Over the years, researchers have learned that wolves play a key role in restoring ecosystems, by reining in prey, such as deer, that can overbrowse trees and shrubs. —Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 9 June 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1850, in the meaning defined above