To strip or scratch the bark off a tree or plant.
From Old French 'escorcher' (to flay, strip), from Vulgar Latin 'excoricare.' The 'ec-' prefix intensifies the action of removing the outer layer, similar to 'excoriate.'
This old word describes what happens when deer rub their antlers on trees or when bark gets damaged—it's the same root as 'excoriate,' which means harsh criticism literally 'flays' someone's reputation.
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