U

depopulation

verb (used with object), de·pop·u·lat·ed, de·pop·u·lat·ing.

to remove or reduce the population of, as by destruction or expulsion.

adjective

Archaic. depopulated.

verb

to be or cause to be reduced in population

early 15c.; see de- + population.

1540s; see de- + populate. Perhaps from Latin depopulatus, past participle of depopulari “to lay waste, ravage.” Related: Depopulated; depopulating. Earlier in same sense was dispeplen (early 15c.).