To go on round for collection of bhikṣā (accepting food etc. by going to houses for collecting them in conformity with the canonical instruction) from several houses of the householders, by accepting it in a little quantity from each one like a grazing cow (which eats a little grass from each spot).
goścaraṇaṃ gocaraḥ, caraṇaṃ - caryā, gocara iva caryā gocaracaryā.
(ĀVaHāVṛ 2 p.57)