n.
Pronunciation: ' m ō lt
Function: verb
Etymology: alteration of Middle English mouten, from Old English -m ū tian to change, from Latin mutare ― more at MUTABLE
Date: 15th century
intransitive verb : to shed hair, feathers, shell, horns, or an outer layer periodically
transitive verb : to cast off (an outer covering) periodically specifically : to throw off (the old cuticle) ― used of arthropods
– molt · er noun