defray

Etymology

From Middle French desfrayer, French défrayer, from dé- + Old French fraier (“to spend”).

verb

1. To pay or discharge (a debt, expense etc.); to meet (the cost of something).
   The expenses of the war, while in progress, were defrayed by executing rich men and confiscating their property. 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.29
   Investors, meanwhile, got back a fraction of their money. Some say Mr Meinl’s €100m bail, paid by a source in Liechtenstein, should be used to defray their losses. 30 Jul 2009, ‘A Viennese grind’, The Economist
   In order to help defray the substantial costs involved, they then raised revenue through taking advertisements. 9 Dec 2010, Roy Greenslade, The Guardian
2. (archaic) To pay for (something).
3. (obsolete) To spend (money).