cau·ter·ize / ˈkôtəˌrīz/ • v. [tr.] Med. burn the skin or flesh of (a wound) with a heated instrument or caustic substance, typically to stop bleeding or prevent the wound from becoming infected.DERIVATIVES: cau·ter·i·za·tion / ˌkôtərəˈzāshən/ n.

cauterize XIV. — (O)F. cautériser — late L. cautērizāre, alt. — Gr. kautēriázein, f. kautḗrion, whence (through L. cautērium) cautery XIV cauterizing instrument, drug, or operation; ult. f. Gr. kaíein; see CAUSTIC, -IZE.

cauterize (kaw-tĕ-ryz) vb. to destroy tissues by direct application of a heated instrument (known as a cautery): used for the removal of small warts or other growths and also to stop bleeding from small vessels.
—cautery n.