Peel, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Peeled (pēld); p. pr. & vb. n.Peeling.] [F. peler to pull out the hair, to strip, to peel, fr. L. pilare to deprive of hair, fr. pilus a hair; or perh. partly fr. F. peler to peel off the skin, perh. fr. L. pellis skin (cf. Fell skin). Cf. Peruke.] 1. To strip off the skin, bark, or rind of; to strip by drawing or tearing off the skin, bark, husks, etc.; to flay; to decorticate; as, to peel an orange.
The skillful shepherd peeled me certain wands. Shak.
2. To strip or tear off; to remove by stripping, as the skin of an animal, the bark of a tree, etc.