molt
1. molt \'mo-lt\ vb [alter. of ME mouten, fr. (assumed) OE -mu-tian to change, fr. L] mutare - more at MISS : to shed hair, feathers, shell, horns, or an outer layer periodically : to cast off (an outer covering) periodically; specif : to throw off (the old cuticle) - used of arthropods - molt.er n 2. molt n : the act or process of molting