Main Entry: de·fo·li·ate

Pronunciation: \-lē-ˌāt\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Late Latin defoliatus, past participle of defoliare, from Latin de- + folium leaf — more at blade

Date: 1791

: to deprive of leaves especially prematurely

— de·fo·li·a·tion \(ˌ)dē-ˌfō-lē-ˈā-shən\ noun

— de·fo·li·a·tor \(ˌ)dē-ˈfō-lē-ˌā-tər\ noun