n.
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form: preyed ; prey · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French preier, from Latin praedari, from praeda
Date: 14th century
1 : to make raids for the sake of booty
2 a : to seize and devour prey b : to commit violence or robbery or fraud
3 : to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect <worry prey ed upon his mind>
– prey · er noun