moult

Etymology

From Middle English mouten, from Old English *mutian (cf. bemutian), from Latin mūtō, mūtāre. Doublet of mute and mutate.

noun

1. The process of shedding or losing a covering of fur, feathers or skin etc.
   Some birds change colour during their winter moult.
2. The skin or feathers cast off during the process of moulting.

verb

1. (intransitive) To shed or lose a covering of hair or fur, feathers, skin, horns, etc, and replace it with a fresh one.
2. (transitive) To shed in such a manner.