molt
1 of 2verb/moʊlt/
Forms:molts,molting,molted,molted
1
(of animals or birds) to lose hair, feathers, etc. temporarily before they grow back
- The bird began to molt in the spring, shedding its old feathers for new ones.
- Snakes molt regularly as they grow, shedding their skin in large pieces.
- Every year, the dog molts, leaving clumps of fur all over the house.
- The eagle will molt its feathers over the next few weeks in preparation for hunting season.
- The deer molts in the late summer, replacing its old coat with a new one for the colder months.