defoliant
noun
de·fo·li·ant (ˌ)dē-ˈfō-lē-ənt 
: a chemical spray or dust applied to plants in order to cause the leaves to drop off prematurely
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web An experienced logger and his young wife in Northern California suspect a defoliant being used to clear brush is poisoning their community. 
Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2021 This spring, doctors identified his cancer as one of those linked to exposure to Agent Orange, the defoliant used during the war. oregonlive, 21 Sep. 2021 The second-largest group served in the Vietnam era, in which 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant linked to cancer. Jamie Rowen, The Conversation, 27 May 2021 The main focus of the War Legacies Project is to document the long-term effects of the defoliant known as Agent Orange and provide humanitarian aid to its victims. New York Times, 16 Mar. 2021 The largest group served in the Vietnam era, where 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant linked to cancer. Popular Science, 11 Nov. 2020 The largest group served in the Vietnam era, where 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant linked to cancer. Popular Science, 11 Nov. 2020 The largest group served in the Vietnam era, where 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant linked to cancer. Popular Science, 11 Nov. 2020 In another study, published last year, Jugulam turned her attention to the herbicide 2,4-D, one of the ingredients of Agent Orange, an infamous defoliant used in the Vietnam War. Natasha Gilbert, Wired, 19 Dec. 2020 See More
Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2021 This spring, doctors identified his cancer as one of those linked to exposure to Agent Orange, the defoliant used during the war. oregonlive, 21 Sep. 2021 The second-largest group served in the Vietnam era, in which 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant linked to cancer. Jamie Rowen, The Conversation, 27 May 2021 The main focus of the War Legacies Project is to document the long-term effects of the defoliant known as Agent Orange and provide humanitarian aid to its victims. New York Times, 16 Mar. 2021 The largest group served in the Vietnam era, where 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant linked to cancer. Popular Science, 11 Nov. 2020 The largest group served in the Vietnam era, where 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant linked to cancer. Popular Science, 11 Nov. 2020 The largest group served in the Vietnam era, where 2.8 million veterans were exposed to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant linked to cancer. Popular Science, 11 Nov. 2020 In another study, published last year, Jugulam turned her attention to the herbicide 2,4-D, one of the ingredients of Agent Orange, an infamous defoliant used in the Vietnam War. Natasha Gilbert, Wired, 19 Dec. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1943, in the meaning defined above