The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Macerate \Mac"er*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Macerated; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Macerating.] [L. maceratus, p. p. of macerare to
   make soft, weaken, enervate; cf. Gr. ? to knead.]
   1. To make lean; to cause to waste away. [Obs. or R.]
      --Harvey.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To subdue the appetites of by poor and scanty diet; to
      mortify. --Baker.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To soften by steeping in a liquid, with or without heat;
      to wear away or separate the parts of by steeping; as, to
      macerate animal or vegetable fiber.
      [1913 Webster]