/ ˌdiːˈfəʊlieɪt; NAmE -ˈfoʊ-/ verb
[ vn ] ( technical ) to destroy the leaves of trees or plants, especially with chemicals
► de·foli·ation / ˌdiːˌfəʊliˈeɪʃn; NAmE -ˌfoʊ-/ noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent.: from late Latin defoliat- stripped of leaves, from the verb defoliare , from de- (expressing removal) + folium leaf.