spay

• POS: Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

spay, v. t. [Cf. Armor. spac'hein, spaza to geld, W. dyspaddu to geld, L. spado a eunuch, Gr. .].

 To remove or extirpate the ovaries of, as a sow or a bitch; to castrate (a female animal).  [1913 Webster]

spay, n. [Cf. Spade a spay, Spay, v. t.].

 The male of the red deer in his third year; a spade.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

spay, v.tr. sterilize (a female animal) by removing the ovaries.

Etymology

ME f. AF espeier, OF espeer cut with a sword f. espee sword f. L spatha: see SPATHE