Also -feldt. [ad. Cape Du. zoetveld, lit. sweet field.] In South Africa, land of good quality for food-plants.
1785. G. Forster, trans. Sparrman’s Voy. Cape G. Hope (1786), I. 250. By the Sweet-fields (Zoete-velden) are meant such places as do not correspond to the descriptions given above of the Zuure and Carrow veld.
1850. R. G. Cumming, Hunter’s Life S. Afr. (ed. 2), I. 40. Those from about the frontiers of the colony, or anywhere beyond the Orange River, are termed ‘Sweet-feldt’ oxen.
[1876: see VELDT 1.]
1905. Sci. S. Afr. 383–4 (Pettman). Wherever it [sc. lime] does occur marked fertility and sweet-veld results.
