defoliation

de·fo·li·ate  (d-fl-t)

v. de·fo·li·at·ed, de·fo·li·at·ing, de·fo·li·ates

v.tr.

1. To deprive (a plant, tree, or forest) of leaves.

2. To cause the leaves of (a plant, tree, or forest) to fall off, especially by the use of chemicals.

v.intr.

To lose foliage.

---

[Late Latin dfolire, dfolit- : Latin d-, de- + Latin folium, leaf; see bhel-³ in Indo-European roots.]

---

de·foli·ate (-t) adj.

de·foli·ation n.

de·foli·ator n.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	defoliation - the loss of foliage                   biological process, organic process - a process occurring in living organisms
	2.	defoliation - causing the leaves of trees and other plants to fall off (as by the use of chemicals) change of state - the act of changing something into something different in essential characteristics