Pec"u*late (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Peculated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peculating.] [L. peculatus, p.p. of peculari to peculate, akin to peculium private property. See Peculiar.]
To appropriate to one's own use the property of the public; to steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle.
An oppressive, . . . rapacious, and peculating despotism.
Burke.
© Webster 1913.