An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. To pay out, disburse, or expend; dispose of (money, wealth, resources, etc.).
   

2. To employ (labor, thought, words, time, etc.), as on some object or in some proceeding (Dictionary.com).

Etymology (EN): M.E. spenden, from O.En. -spendan (in forspendan “use up”), from M.L. spendere, from expendere “to pay out, weigh out money,” from → ex- “out” + pendere “to pay, weigh.”

Etymology (PE): Ziyâmidan, from Sogd. zyâm “to consume, spend,” ultimately from Proto-Ir. *uz-iam-, from *uz- “out, away,” → ex-,

• *iam- “to hold, take; stretch, reach out;” cf. Av. yam- “to hold, keep,” (+ *apa-) “to take away;” Skt. yam- “to hold, restrain.”