Main Entry: de·spoil

Pronunciation: \di-ˈspȯi(-ə)l\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English despoylen, from Anglo-French despoiller, from Latin despoliare, from de- + spoliare to strip, rob — more at spoil

Date: 14th century

: to strip of belongings, possessions, or value : pillage

synonyms see ravage

— de·spoil·er noun

— de·spoil·ment \-mənt\ noun