depredation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding
    predation.
  2. noun (usually plural) a destructive action
    ravage.
    • the ravages of time
    • the depredations of age and disease

WordNet

Dep`re*da"tion noun
Etymology
L. depraedatio: cf. F. déprédation.
Definitions
  1. The act of depredating, or the state of being depredated; the act of despoiling or making inroads; as, the sea often makes depredation on the land.

Webster 1913