to cut or shave off the outer surface of (something)
to trim off the outer edges of (esp the nails)
Let not him that plays the lion pare his nails, for they shall hang out for the lion's claws — Shakespeare
(often + down/away) to diminish (something) gradually as if by paring
We managed to pare the costs right down
parer noun
[Middle English paren via French from Latin parare to prepare, acquire]