desiccation

n. process of drying food, dehydration; removal of all moisture

Desiccation is the state of extreme dryness, or the process of extreme drying. A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that induces or sustains such a state in its local vicinity in a moderately-well sealed container.
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Des·ic·ca·tion n. The process of being desiccated. des ic·ca tive adj. desiccation, n an excessive loss of moisture; the process of drying up. [more]Desiccation - Community and Resources

Noun
1. dryness resulting from the removal of water
(synonym) dehydration
(hypernym) dryness, waterlessness, xerotes
(derivation) dehydrate, desiccate
2. the process of extracting moisture
(synonym) dehydration, drying up, evaporation
(hypernym) extraction
(hyponym) freeze-drying, lyophilization, lyophilisation
(part-holonym) plastination
(derivation) dehydrate, desiccate

(n.)
The act of desiccating, or the state of being desiccated.