"embezzlement, defalcation, the act of appropriating to one's own use public money or goods entrusted to one's care," 1650s, noun of action from Latin peculari (see peculate).
Entries linking to peculation
peculate v.
"embezzle, pilfer, appropriate to one's own use public money or goods entrusted to one's care," 1749, from Latin peculatus, past participle of peculari "to embezzle," from peculum "private property," originally "cattle" (see peculiar). Related: Peculated; peculating; peculator.