VERB (5)

1. spread by opening the leaves of;

2. cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters;

3. remove the surface, in scales or laminae;

4. come off in a very thin piece;

5. grow by producing or unfolding leaves;
- Example: "plants exfoliate"

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Exfoliate \Ex*fo"li*ate\ v. t.
   To remove scales, lamin[ae], or splinters from the surface
   of.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Exfoliate \Ex*fo"li*ate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Exfoliated; p.
   pr. & vb. n. Exfoliating.] [L. exfoliare to strip of
   leaves; ex out, from + folium leaf.]
   1. To separate and come off in scales or lamin[ae], as pieces
      of carious bone or of bark.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Min.) To split into scales, especially to become
      converted into scales at the result of heat or
      decomposition.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

exfoliate
    v 1: spread by opening the leaves of
    2: cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters
    3: remove the surface, in scales or laminae
    4: come off in a very thin piece
    5: grow by producing or unfolding leaves; "plants exfoliate"