Flay (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flayed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flaying.] [OE. flean, flan, AS. fleán; akin to D. vlaen, Icel. flā, Sw. flå, Dan. flaae, cf. Lith. ples to tear, plyszti, v.i., to burst tear; perh. akin to E. flag to flat stone, flaw.]

To skin; to strip off the skin or surface of; as, to flay an ox; to flay the green earth.

With her nails She'll flay thy wolfish visage. Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.