Saponify

Sa‐pon″i‐fy (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Saponified (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Saponifying (?).] [L. sapo, -onis, soap + -fy: cf. F. saponifier.] To convert into soap, as tallow or any fat; hence (Chem.), to subject to any similar process, as that which ethereal salts undergo in decomposition; as, to saponify ethyl acetate.