de·pop·u·late [ dee póppyə làyt ](past and past participlede·pop·u·lat·ed, present participlede·pop·u·lat·ing, 3rd person present singularde·pop·u·lates)
transitive verb
Definition:
reduce population: to cause a reduction in the number of residents in an area, e.g. through disease, war, famine, or enforced relocation
[Mid-16th century. < Latin depopulat-, past participle of depopulare "ravage completely, reduce in population" < populari "lay waste" < populus "people"]
