Main Entry: mer·cer·ize

Pronunciation: \ˈmər-sə-ˌrīz\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): mer·cer·ized; mer·cer·iz·ing

Etymology: John Mercer †1866 English calico printer

Date: 1852

: to give (as cotton yarn) luster, strength, and receptiveness to dyes by treatment under tension with caustic soda

— mer·cer·i·za·tion \ˌmərs-rə-ˈzā-shən, ˌmər-sə-\ noun