Decatize

/ˈdɛkətaɪz/ verb

Definition

To set the shape and finish of fabric permanently using heat and steam treatment in the textile industry.

Etymology

From German 'Dekatur' or similar technical textile terminology. Meaning evolved to describe the standardized finishing process developed in 19th-century mills.

Kelly Says

Decatizing was a revolutionary textile innovation—it allowed manufacturers to guarantee that fabrics wouldn't shrink or wrinkle unpredictably, transforming the clothing industry's reliability.

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