(~s, denuding, ~d)
1.
To ~ an area means to destroy the plants in it. (FORMAL)
Mining would pollute the lake and ~ the forest...
VERB: V n
2.
To ~ someone or something of a particular thing means to take it away from them. (FORMAL)
The Embassy is now ~d of all foreign and local staff...
= divest
VERB: V n of n