The word "prey" refers to an animal that is hunted, captured, and eaten by another animal. It typically describes the victim in a predator-prey relationship in the natural world. When we think about "prey," we often visualize animals that serve as food for predators like lions, hawks, or sharks.
The word "prey" comes from the Middle English word "preie," which originates from the Old French "preie," and further traces back to the Latin "praeda," meaning "plunder" or "booty." The evolution of the term reflects its association with capture and consumption.