American Dictionary of the English Language

DEFRAY, verb transitive

1. To pay; to discharge, as cost or expense; to bear, as charge, cost or expense. It is followed chiefly by expense, charge or cost. The acquisitions of war seldom defray the expenses. The profits of a voyage will not always defray the charges, or even the cost of the first outfits.

2. To satisfy; as, to defray anger.

3. To fill; as, to defray a bottle.