Pare

v. t.
  1. To cut off, or shave off, the superficial substance or extremities of; as, to pare an apple; to pare a horse's hoof.
  2. To remove; to separate; to cut or shave, as the skin, rind, or outside part, from anything; -- followed by off or away; as, to pare off the rind of fruit; to pare away redundancies.
  3. Fig.: To diminish the bulk of; to reduce; to lessen.