de·phleg·mate \(ˈ)dēˈflegˌmāt\transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology:de- + phlegm + -ate 1.archaic: to deprive (a spirit or an acid) of phlegm (sense 3) : free from an excess of water especially by distillation 2.: to rectify (a liquid) by distillation • de·phleg·ma·tion\ˌdēˌflegˈmāshən\noun-s