söötma

Söötma is an Estonian verb with senses tied to providing nourishment and to attracting or baiting. In agricultural and animal-care contexts, it refers to supplying food or fodder to livestock, poultry, or wildlife. In hunting, fishing, and pest-management settings, it denotes attracting animals by laying out bait or attractants. A figurative use exists as well, meaning to entice or lure someone into a situation, though this is less common and can carry a nuanced tone depending on context.

Etymology and form: The verb is formed from the noun sööt, meaning bait or feed, combined with the infinitive suffix -ma as part of standard Estonian verb formation. This mirrors how many nouns and adjectives are turned into verbs in Estonian.

Usage notes: Söötma is standard in discussions of animal care, wildlife management, hunting practices, or pest control. It should be distinguished from the verb sööma, which means to eat, to avoid confusion between “to feed” and “to eat” in everyday language.

See also: Feeding, Bait, Lure, Entice.

References to grammar and usage can be found in standard Estonian dictionaries and language resources, which classify söötma under verbs that describe supplying food or attracting animals through bait.