What does cauterise mean?

Cauterise

* Verb:

1. To burn or sear (a wound or tissue) with a hot iron or chemical agent in order to stop bleeding or seal an infection.

2. To destroy or remove (something) completely or irrevocably.

Example:

* They had to cauterize the wound to stop the bleeding.

* The government ordered the destruction and cauterization of all documents relating to the scandal.