Main Entry: em·bez·zle

Pronunciation: \im-ˈbe-zəl, em-\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): em·bez·zled; em·bez·zling \-(ə-)liŋ\

Etymology: Middle English embesilen, from Anglo-French embesiller to make away with, from en- + besiller to steal, plunder

Date: 15th century

: to appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use <embezzled thousands of dollars>

— em·bez·zle·ment \-zəl-mənt\ noun

— em·bez·zler \-z(ə-)lər\ noun