v. bush·whacked, bush·whack·ing, bush·whacks v. intr. 1. To force one's way through a forested or overgrown area where no path exists: “Often on the verge of starvation, they bushwhacked through muskeg, forded ice-cold streams and rivers ... determined to conquer a daunting land deemed impassable” (Brenda Koller). 2. To travel through or live in the woods. 3. To fight as a guerrilla in the woods. [Back-formation from BUSHWHACKER.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.