Meanings of peculate in English

We should let it peculate for another.

The former is counted by hundreds of taels; the latter, by thousands, especially where there is a temptation to peculate.

And this not from any real lack, but simply from the mistakes of a bungling, peculating Government.

He was charged with various acts of extortion on the citizens of Philadelphia, and with peculating on the public funds.

Why are all such bequests subject to the interference, the vexatious, arbitrary, peculating interference of the Orange commissioners for charitable donations?