last years; final days; end of an era
Refers to the closing period of a person's life, a dynasty, a century, or a long-term process. Often used in historical or formal contexts.
Turmoil continued in the final years of the Edo period.
祖父は人生の末年を静かに過ごした。
My grandfather spent the last years of his life quietly.
末年 refers to the closing years of an era or reign, the opposite of 初年, which refers to its early years.
Compound of 末 (end, final) and 年 (year). The reading is the on'yomi of both characters.