verb (used with object), cau·ter·ized, cau·ter·iz·ing.
- to burn with a hot iron, electric current, fire, or a caustic, especially for curative purposes; treat with a cautery.
verb
- (tr) (esp in the treatment of a wound) to burn or sear (body tissue) with a hot iron or caustic agent
c.1400, from Old French cauterisier, from Late Latin cauterizare “to burn or brand with a hot iron,” from Greek kauteriazein, from kauter “burning or branding iron,” from kaiein “to burn” (see caustic). Related: Cauterized; cauterizing.
v.
- To burn or sear with a cautery.
- To burn or sear with a cautery, as in surgical procedures.