(Also U.S. woodscraft: see WOOD sb.1 9 g.) [f. WOOD sb.1 + CRAFT sb.]
1. Skill in, or skilled practice of, matters pertaining to woods or forests, esp. (in early use) to the chase; now (chiefly in U.S. and Colonial use) applied esp. to such knowledge of forest conditions as enables one to maintain oneself or make one’s way.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1605. A wyȝe þat was wys vpou wod craftez To vnlace þis bor lufly bigynnez.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 110. Of woodecraft wel koude he al the vsage … A Forster was he.
1823. Scott, Quentin D., ix. Thou hast begun thy woodcraft well.
1835. W. Irving, Tour Prairies, xxxiv. One or two other leaders of the camp, versed in woodcraft, examined with learned eye the trees.
1870. Bret Harte, Idyl of Red Gulch, Wks. (1872), 58. When he had built a fire against a tree, and had shown them other mysteries of wood-craft.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer, xi. The … steering straight in a country without a landmark, was likely to bear hard upon his woodcraft.
1902. S. E. White, Blazed Trail, xviii. He was full of delight over everything that savored of the woods or woodscraft.
2. Skill in woodwork, or in constructing something of wood.
1833. Mrs. Browning, Prometh. Bound, 525. They … Nor knew to build a house … With wicketed sides, nor any woodcraft knew.
1891. E. Peacock, N. Brendon, I. viii. 127. The chief carpenter [has] some good books on woodcraft.
