I. ˈmōlt verb
Etymology: alteration of Middle English mouten, from Old English -mūtian 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
II. noun
Date: 1815
: the act or process of molting ; specifically : ecdysis