Moult

p. pr. & vb. n. MOLTING, or MOULTING.] [O. Eng. mout, mowte, Prov. Ger. mutern, mütern, N. H. Ger. mausen, mauszen, mausern, mausern, M. H. Ger. mâzen, O. H. Ger. mâzôn, O. L. Ger. mûtôn, D. muiten, Pr., Sp., & Pg. mudar, It. mudare, Fr. muer. See MEW.] [The prevalent spelling is moult; but as the u has been omitted in the other words of this class, as bolt, colt, dolt, &c., it is desirable to complete the analogy by dropping it in this word, as many distinguished writers have done.] To shed or cast the hair, feathers, skin, horns, and the like, as an animal.