I. ˈflēs noun
Etymology: Middle English flees, from Old English flēos; akin to Middle High German vlius fleece and perhaps to Latin pluma feather, down
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : the coat of wool covering a wool-bearing animal (as a sheep)
b. : the wool obtained from a sheep at one shearing
2.
a. : any of various soft or woolly coverings
b. : a soft bulky deep-piled knitted or woven fabric used chiefly for clothing
II. transitive verb
( fleeced ; fleec·ing )
Date: 1537
1.
a. : to strip of money or property by fraud or extortion
b. : to charge excessively for goods or services
2. : to remove the fleece from : shear
3. : to dot or cover with fleecy masses