Macerate (verb)

1. To soften or break down a food by soaking it in liquid.
2. To make something weaker or more delicate by subjecting it to prolonged pressure or stress.

Origin:

From the latin word "macerare" meaning "to soften".

Examples:

1. The fruit was macerated in a mixture of sugar and brandy for several hours before being served.
2. The steak was macerated in a marinade of red wine and herbs before grilling.
3. The nuts were macerated in a mixture of honey and cinnamon before being used as a topping.
4. The plant was macerated by the heavy rainfall, its leaves drooping and wilted.
5. The wood was macerated by the termites, leaving it weak and brittle.