haymaking

From Middle English hey makyng; equivalent to hay +‎ making.

haymaking (countable and uncountable, plural haymakings)

1. The cutting of grass and subsequently curing it to make hay as fodder for animals.
   • 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 279:

     The red-painted farm-houses, peculiar to Norway, lay picturesquely scattered on the higher points of the undulating valley, where men and women were busy hay-making.

2. Taking full advantage of an opportunity while it lasts
   • 1990, Wayne Jancik, The Billboard Book of One-Hit Wonders, →ISBN, page 330:

     In their haymaking days, the Spoonful created a string of '60s chestnuts: "Do You Believe In Magic?", "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice," "Daydream," "Summer In The City," "Nashville Cats."