The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Desiccate \Des"ic*cate\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Desiccated; p. pr. & vb. n. Desiccating.] [L. desiccatus,
   p. p. of desiccare to dry up; de- + siccare to dry, siccus
   dry. See Sack wine.]
   To dry up; to deprive or exhaust of moisture; to preserve by
   drying; as, to desiccate fish or fruit.
   [1913 Webster]

         Bodies desiccated by heat or age.        --Bacon.
   [1913 Webster]