transhumance

[trans-hyoo-muh ns or, often, yoo-, tranz-]

noun

the seasonal migration of livestock, and the people who tend them, between lowlands and adjacent mountains.

Origin of transhumance

1900–05; < French, equivalent to transhum(er) to shift ground (modeled on Spanish trashumar; see trans-, humus) + -ance -ance

Related formstrans·hu·mant, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for transhumance

transhumance

noun

the seasonal migration of livestock to suitable grazing grounds

Derived Formstranshumant, adjective

Word Origin for transhumance

C20: from French, from transhumer to change one's pastures, from Spanish trashumar, from Latin trans- + humus ground

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012