[de.cor.ti.ca.tion] n [L decortication-, decorticatio, fr. decorticare to remove the bark from, fr. de- + cortic-, cortex bark--more at cuirass] (ca. 1623) 1: the act or process of removing the outer coverings (as bark or husks) from something (as fiber or seed)
2: the surgical removal of the cortex of an organ (as the brain), an enveloping membrane, or a constrictive fibrinous covering -- de.cor.ti.cate vt -- de.cor.ti.cat.or n