depopulate

 
Pronunciation: /diːˈpɒpjʊleɪt/

verb

[with object]
  • substantially reduce the population of (an area): the disease could depopulate a town the size of Bournemouth

Derivatives

depopulation

noun

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the sense 'ravage, lay waste'): from Latin depopulat- 'ravaged', from the verb depopulari, from de- 'completely' + populari 'lay waste' (from populus 'people')