Dictionary entry

Decant

Webster's Dictionary 1913

De‐cant″ (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Decanted; p. pr. & vb. n.Decanting.] [F. décanter (cf. It. decantare), prop., to pour off from the edge of a vessel; pref. dé- (L. de) + OF. cant (It. canto) edge, border, end. See Cant an edge.] To pour off gently, as liquor, so as not to disturb the sediment; or to pour from one vessel into another; as, to decant wine.