decrepitate

verb

de·​crep·​i·​tate di-ˈkre-pə-ˌtāt 

decrepitated; decrepitating; decrepitates

transitive verb

: to roast or calcine (a substance, such as salt) so as to cause crackling or until crackling stops

intransitive verb

: to become decrepitated

decrepitation

di-ˌkre-pə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Word History

Etymology

probably from New Latin *decrepitatus, past participle of *decrepitare, from Latin de- + crepitare to crackle — more at crepitate

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Medical Definition

decrepitate

verb

de·​crep·​i·​tate di-ˈkrep-ə-ˌtāt 

decrepitated; decrepitating

transitive verb

: to roast or calcine (as salt) so as to cause crackling or until crackling stops

intransitive verb

: to become decrepitated

decrepitation

-ˌkrep-ə-ˈtā-shən 

noun