The verb defer has 2 senses (first 2 from tagged texts)
1. (2) postpone, prorogue, hold over, put over, table, shelve, set back, defer, remit, put off -- (hold back to a later time; "let's postpone the exam")
2. (1) submit, bow, defer, accede, give in -- (submit or yield to another's wish or opinion; "The government bowed to the military pressure")