To make free from live bacteria or other microorganisms.
2. To eliminate the ability of a person or animal to produce offspring, as by altering or removing the reproductive organs.
3.
a. To make incapable of bearing fruit or germinating.
b. To render (land) unfruitful.
4. Economics To place (gold) in safekeeping so as not to affect the supply of money or credit.
5. To make inoffensive or innocuous: s