ret — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To prepare (flax, hemp etc.) for further processing by soaking, which facilitates separation of fibers from the woody parts of the stem.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   the hemp was retted / and soon the retting was done / and swiftly it was hung up / and hurriedly it was dried […].

   More examples (1)

   the lowland nearly silent except for water-thrushes, the harvested fields, the smell of hops being dried in kilns, flax pulled up and piled in sheaves, in local practice not to be retted till the spring

Verb

1. place (flax, hemp, or jute) in liquid so as to promote loosening of the fibers from the woody tissue

   Broader terms

   drenchdousedowsesoaksopsouse