The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Abscond \Ab*scond"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Absconded; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Absconding.] [L. abscondere to hide; ab, abs +
   condere to lay up; con + d[a^]re (only in comp.) to put. Cf.
   Do.]
   1. To hide, withdraw, or be concealed.
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            The marmot absconds all winter.       --Ray.
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   2. To depart clandestinely; to steal off and secrete one's
      self; -- used especially of persons who withdraw to avoid
      a legal process; as, an absconding debtor.
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            That very homesickness which, in regular armies,
            drives so many recruits to abscond.   --Macaulay.
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