cut, clip, trim, harvest, mow
芟 centers on cutting vegetation: clipping, trimming, mowing, or harvesting plants. The meanings all involve using a blade to remove or shorten plant growth.
芟 combines the plant radical 艹 with 殳, a component associated with striking or a weapon. The structure suggests cutting plants with a tool, but the exact historical development is uncertain.
The top 艹 is grass, and the bottom 殳 looks like a hand holding a tool. Imagine using a sharp tool to cut down overgrown grass: clipping, trimming, and mowing.
For セン, picture a sharp scythe cutting through a field of grass: the scythe's sound cues セン as it harvests the crop.
cutting away