ˈmæs.ə.ɹeɪt ˈmæs.ə.ɹeɪt cause to grow thin or weak The treatment emaciated him soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result macerate peaches the gizzards macerates the food in the digestive system become soft or separate and disintegrate as a result of excessive soaking the tissue macerated in the water separate into constituents by soaking a macerated substance, sometimes used to infuse vodka with flavor.