desiccation

transitive verb desiccated, desiccating

1. to dry completely
2. to preserve (food) by drying

Origin: < L desiccatus, pp. of desiccare, to dry up completely < de-, intens. + siccare, to dry < siccus, dry < IE base *seikw-, to drip, pour out > OE seon, to trickle, sic, small stream

intransitive verb