cauterize (v.)

"to burn or sear (morbid flesh) with a hot iron," c. 1400, from Old French cauterisier, from Late Latin cauterizare "to burn or brand with a hot iron," from Greek kauteriazein, from kauter "burning or branding iron," from kaiein "to burn," a word of uncertain origin. Related: Cauterized; cauterizing.

updated on October 24, 2017