depredate

Dep"re*date, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Depredated; p. pr. & vb. n. Depredating.] Etym: [L. depraedatus, p. p. of depraedari to plunder; de- + praedari to plunder, praeda plunder, prey. See Prey.] Defn: To subject to plunder and pillage; to despoil; to lay waste; to prey upon. It makes the substance of the body . . . less apt to be consumed and depredated by the spirits. Bacon. Dep"re*date, v. i. Defn: To take plunder or prey; to commit waste; as, the troops depredated on the country.

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