noun
weeding; brush clearing
Specifically refers to cutting down weeds, undergrowth, or brush, often as a preparatory step before planting trees or other cultivation.
植林の前に、まず刈り払いを行います。
Before planting trees, we first carry out weeding and brush clearing.
この道具は刈り払いに便利だ。
This tool is handy for clearing undergrowth.
Compound of 刈り (kari, 'cutting', from 刈る) and 払い (harai, 'clearing away', from 払う). The combination conveys cutting down and removing vegetation.