transitive. To render (a thing, esp. a book or other document) imperfect by cutting out or excising a part; to change or destroy part of the…

To mutilate (a book, etc.) by removing a sheet or portion of it; esp. to remove obscene or objectionable passages from; to expurgate.

esp. To take the force out of (literary compositions) by removing what is supposed to be indecorous or offensive.

transitive. To expurgate (a book or writing), by omitting or modifying words or passages considered indelicate or offensive; to castrate.

transitive. To remove or extract the pith from. Also figurative.