noun

1. Archaic plunder; booty
2. an animal hunted or killed for food by another animal
3. a person or thing that falls victim to someone or something
4. the mode of living by preying on other animals a bird of prey

Etymology: ME preye < OFr preie < L praeda < base of prehendere, to seize: see prehensile

intransitive verb

1. to plunder; rob
2. to hunt or kill other animals for food
3. to make profit from a victim as by swindling
4. to have a wearing or harmful influence; weigh heavily