a. and sb. Forms: 5 exsiccatif, 6–7 exiccative, (6 excicatiue), 7–8 exs-(exss-)iccative. [ad. med.L. exsiccatīvus, f. L. exsiccāre: see EXSICCATE. Cf. Fr. exsiccatif (Cotgr.).]
A. adj. Tending to make dry or to produce dryness, having the power or quality of drying up.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg. (MS. B.), 87. A medycine mundyficatyff & exsiccatif.
1563. T. Gale, Antidot., II. 55. Vertue, alteratiue, resoluative, and excicatiue.
1657. Tomlinson, Renou’s Disp., 378*. Zopissa … is more efficaciously exsiccative.
1755. in Johnson.
1884. in Syd. Soc. Lex.
B. sb. An exsiccative medicine or substance.
1562. Bulleyn, Dial. Soarnes & Chir., 28 a. I will giue you the difference of exiccatiues, or drying Simples.
1675. Evelyn, Terra (1729), 24. If too moist, apply Exssiccatives.
1765. Univ. Mag., XXXVII. 355/2. Incrustatives and exsiccatives, as myrrh, aloes.
