Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
PREY
I. noun (plural prey; also preys) see: get
Date: 13th century
spoil , booty ,
2. an animal taken by a predator as food, one that is helpless or unable to resist attack ; victim , the act or habit of preying,
II. intransitive verb (preyed; preying)
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French preier, from Latin praedari, from praeda
Date: 14th century
to make raids for the sake of booty,
2. to seize and devour prey, to commit violence or robbery or fraud, to have an injurious, destructive, or wasting effect , preyer noun