Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
DEFER
I. transitive verb (deferred; deferring) see: differ
Date: 14th century
put off , delay , to postpone induction of (a person) into military service, deferrer noun Synonyms: see: defer
II. verb (deferred; deferring) see: bear
Date: 15th century
transitive verb to delegate to another , intransitive verb to submit to another's wishes, opinion, or governance usually through deference or respect , see: yield