The term 'sloughs off' can be defined as to discard or shed something. The crossword solutions for this term are 'MOLTS' (5 letters) and 'sheds' (5 letters). Molting is a process in which animals, such as reptiles, birds, and insects, periodically shed their outer layer of skin or feathers. Shedding is the process of discarding something, such as hair, skin, or feathers. Both processes involve the discarding of something, which is what the term 'sloughs off' implies.