n.
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English affraien to attack, brawl, disturb, frighten, from Anglo-French affraier, effreer, from Vulgar Latin *exfridare, from Latin ex- + Vulgar Latin *-fridare (of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fridu peace, Old English fr ē o free) ― more at FREE
Date: 14th century
archaic : STARTLE , FRIGHTEN