v. i.
An oppressive, . . . rapacious, and peculating despotism. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The act or practice of peculating, or of defrauding the public by appropriating to one's own use the money or goods intrusted to one's care for management or disbursement; embezzlement. [ 1913 Webster ]
Every British subject . . . active in the discovery of peculations has been ruined. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ L. ] One who peculates. “Peculators of the public gold.” Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]