runcation

plural runcations

1. countableobsoleteuncountableThe act of weeding by hand.

   Even swine have been known so to feed ; and, further, by their constant runcation among whatever lies on the ground, suggest impurity, even if they were not generally foul feeders.

   1865, William Smith, editor, A concise dictionary of the Bible

   2 more examples

   Then, having given it a second stirring, immediately before you sow; cast and disperse it into rills, or small narrow trenches, of four or five inches deep, and in even lines, at two foot interval, for the more commodious runcation, hawing, and dressing the trees: […]

   1664, J[ohn] E[velyn], Sylva, or A Discourse of Forest-trees and the Propagation of Timber in His Majesties Dominions. […], London: […] Jo[hn] Martyn, and Ja[mes] Allestry, printers to the Royal Society, […], →OCLC

   The object of this harrowing or raking was simply in order that the weeds might be more easily eradicated ; but it is a question whether the good it did in facilitating the "runcation" (or hand-weeding) was greater than the injury it inflicted by bruising and tearing the corn.

   1855 July, The Farmer's magazine