To remove carbon deposits or coke buildup from an engine, boiler, or industrial equipment.
From de- (remove) + coke (carbonized residue). This industrial term emerged in the 19th century as engines and boilers accumulated harmful carbon deposits.
Modern engines are designed to resist coke buildup, but in old engines, this was a regular maintenance headache—poor quality fuel meant you'd have to tear apart your engine and scrape out black crusty carbon.
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