1. The process or practice of draining and reclaiming marshy or swampy land for agricultural use.
Usage: historical; chiefly British

1. To drain or reclaim (marshy land) by constructing ditches, dikes, or other water-management systems.
Usage: historical; chiefly British

Examples

• The fenning of the East Anglian marshes transformed the landscape in the 17th century.
• Dutch engineers were hired to assist with fenning projects in England.
• Fenning required extensive systems of canals and pumps to manage water levels.
• The local farmers benefited greatly from the fenning of the surrounding wetlands.
• Medieval fenning efforts were limited by available technology and labor.