from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Assart \As*sart"\ ([a^]s*s[aum]rt"), 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 thickets or coverts of a
forest. --Spelman. --Cowell.
[1913 Webster]
2. A piece of land cleared of trees and bushes, and fitted
for cultivation; a clearing. --Ash.
[1913 Webster]
{Assart land}, forest land cleared of woods and brush.
[1913 Webster]