[de.fray] vt [MF deffrayer, fr. des- de- + frayer to expend, fr. OF, fr. (assumed) OF frai expenditure, lit., damage by breaking, fr. L fractum, neut. of fractus, pp. of frangere to break--more at break] (1536) 1: to provide for the payment of: pay
2. archaic: to bear the expenses of -- de.fray.able adj -- de.fray.al n