in chemistry, "convert into soap" (by combining with an alkali), 1821, from French saponifier (see saponification). Related: Saponified; saponifying.
Entries linking to saponify
saponification n.
"conversion into soap," 1801, from French saponification, from saponifier, from Modern Latin saponificare, from sapon "soap" (see soap (n.)) + -ficare, combining form of Latin facere "to make" (from PIE root *dhe- "to set, put").