from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Defray \De*fray"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Defrayed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Defraying}.] [F. d['e]frayer; pref. d['e]- (L. de or
dis-) + frais expense, fr. LL. fredum, fridum, expense, fine
by which an offender obtained peace from his sovereign, or
more likely, atoned for an offense against the public peace,
fr. OHG. fridu peace, G. friede. See {Affray}.]
1. To pay or discharge; to serve in payment of; to provide
for, as a charge, debt, expenses, costs, etc.
[1913 Webster]
For the discharge of his expenses, and defraying his
cost, he allowed him . . . four times as much.
--Usher.
[1913 Webster]
2. To avert or appease, as by paying off; to satisfy; as, to
defray wrath. [Obs.] --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]