Main Entry: de·cant

Pronunciation: \di-ˈkant, dē-\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: New Latin decantare, from Latin de- + Medieval Latin cantus edge, from Latin, iron ring round a wheel — more at cant

Date: 1633

1 : to draw off (a liquid) without disturbing the sediment or the lower liquid layers
2 : to pour from one vessel into another
3 : to pour out, transfer, or unload as if by pouring

— de·can·ta·tion \ˌdē-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən\ noun