dāˈgrä noun
( plural degras -äz)
Etymology: French dégras, back-formation (influenced by gras fat, from Latin crassus thick, fat) from dégraisser to remove the fat from, from Middle French desgresser, from des-, de- de- + gresse, graisse fat, grease — more at crass , grease
1.
a. : a fatty substance obtained by pressing certain skins following the action of oxidized fish oil on them and used in dressing leather — called also moellon ; see sod oil
b. : a mixture of this substance with other fats or fatty oils (as fish oils) or sometimes wool grease
2. : wool grease