from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Decoy \De*coy"\ (d[-e]*koi"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Decoyed}
(-koid"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Decoying}.] [Pref. de- + coy;
orig., to quiet, soothe, caress, entice. See {Coy}.]
To lead into danger by artifice; to lure into a net or snare;
to entrap; to insnare; to allure; to entice; as, to decoy
troops into an ambush; to decoy ducks into a net.
[1913 Webster]
Did to a lonely cot his steps decoy. --Thomson.
[1913 Webster]
E'en while fashion's brightest arts decoy,
The heart, distrusting, asks if this be joy.
--Goldsmith.
Syn: To entice; tempt; allure; lure. See {Allure}.
[1913 Webster]