The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Decortication \De*cor`ti*ca"tion\, n. [L. decorticatio: cf. F.
   d['e]cortication.]
   The act of stripping off the bark, rind, hull, or outer coat.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

decortication
    n 1: removal of the outer covering of an organ or part