causticize

transitive verb

caus·​ti·​cize

ˈkȯstəˌsīz

-ed/-ing/-s

1

: to make caustic

especially : to convert (alkaline carbonate) into a hydroxide by the use of lime

2

: to treat (textiles) with caustic alkali compare mercerize

Word History

Etymology

caustic + -ize

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