maceration

nouns

softening due to soaking or steeping
maceration
is derived from
macerate
is a type of (narrower)
the process of becoming softer
"refrigeration delayed the softening of the fruit"; "he observed the softening of iron by heat"
softening
extreme leanness (usually caused by starvation or disease)
boniness, bonyness, emaciation, gauntness, maceration
is derived from
macerate