The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Deploy \De*ploy"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Deployed; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Deploying.] [F. d['e]ployer; pref. d['e]? = d['e]s
   (L. dis) + ployer, equiv. to plier to fold, fr. L. plicare.
   See Ply, and cf. Display.] (Mil.)
   To open out; to unfold; to spread out (a body of troops) in
   such a way that they shall display a wider front and less
   depth; -- the reverse of ploy; as, to deploy a column of
   troops into line of battle.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

deploy \de*ploy"\, v. t.
   To place (people or other resources) into a position so as to
   be ready to for action or use.
   [PJC] Deploy

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Deploy \De*ploy"\, Deployment \De*ploy"ment\, n. (Mil.)
   The act of deploying; a spreading out of a body of men in
   order to extend their front. --Wilhelm.
   [1913 Webster]

         Deployments . . . which cause the soldier to turn his
         back to the enemy are not suited to war. --H. L. Scott.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

deploy
    v 1: place troops or weapons in battle formation
    2: to distribute systematically or strategically; "The U.S.
       deploys its weapons in the Middle East"