Middle English, from Anglo-French defrauder, from Latin defraudare, from de- + fraudare to cheat, from fraud-, fraus fraud
verb
to deprive of something by deception or fraud
trying to defraud the public
cheatcozendefraudswindle mean to get something by dishonesty or deception. cheat suggests using trickery that escapes observation. cozen implies artful persuading or flattering to attain a thing or a purpose.