[f. as prec. + -ING1.] Burning with a hot iron or a caustic. (Now chiefly gerundial.)
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Chirurg. (Baker, 1579), 50. To be kept open after the cauterising.
1555. Eden, Decades W. Ind., II. IV. (Arb.), 119. By cauterising with hotte Irens.
1607. Shaks., Timon, V. i. 136. Each false [word] Be as a Cautherizing to the root o’ th’ Tongue.
c. 1720. W. Gibson, Farrier’s Guide, II. lvi. (1738), 212. Cauterizing is performed by an Instrument made hot, or by corrosive or burning Medicines.
1835–6. Todd, Cycl. Anat., I. 435/2. No pain is excited by … cauterizing a bone.
b. attrib., as in cauterizing iron.
1575. Turberv., Falconrie, 261. With a cauterizing yron.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., I. s.v. Cauterizing instr., A cauterizing Button, to burn and sear the Head.
1850. W. Irving, Mahomed’s Success., xlii. (1853), 193. The sight of the fire and cauterising irons again deterred him.
