As*sart", n. [OF. essart the grubbing up of trees, fr. essarter to grub up or clear ground of bushes, shrubs, trees, etc., fr. LL. exartum, exartare, for exsaritare; L. ex + sarire, sarrire, saritum, to hoe, weed.]
1. Old Law
The act or offense of grubbing up trees and bushes, and thus destroying the tickets or coverts of a forest.
Spelman. Cowell.
2.
A piece of land cleared of trees and bushes, and fitted for cultivation; a clearing.
Ash.
Assart land, forest land cleared of woods and brush.
© Webster 1913.
As*sart", v. t.
To grub up, as trees; to commit an assart upon; as, to assart land or trees.
Ashmole.
© Webster 1913.