[im.pov.er.ish] vt [ME enpoverisen, fr. MF empovriss-, stem of empovrir, fr. en- + povre poor--more at poor] (15c) 1: to make poor
2: to deprive of strength, richness, or fertility by depleting or draining of something essential syn see deplete -- im.pov.er.ish.er n -- im.pov.er.ish.ment n