homestead

(hom/sted), v. t. [« homestead, n.] To acquire as one’s established homestead or residence. [Western U. S.] An Indian who had been married Indian fashion,.. but who had homesteaded a farm, thought it best to be married in a more civilized way. American Mi ionary, Noy., 1879, p. 343, The new farmers are settling into Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas, where promising land can_be home-steaded or preempted. W. Shepherd, Prairie Experiences, p. 5.