Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Peculate \Pec"u*late\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Peculated}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Peculating}.] [L. peculatus, p. p. of peculari to
   peculate, akin to peculium private property. See {Peculiar}.]
   To appropriate to one's own use the property of the public;
   to steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle.

         An oppressive, . . . rapacious, and peculating
         despotism.                               --Burke.

Source : WordNet®

peculate
     v : appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care)
         fraudulently to one's own use; "The accountant embezzled
         thousands of dollars while working for the wealthy
         family" [syn: {embezzle}, {defalcate}, {misappropriate},
         {malversate}]