1. the process of treating or anesthetizing tissue with cocaine
Usage: medical; chiefly historical

Examples

• Cocainization of the nasal passages was a common procedure in early 20th-century medicine.
• The dentist performed cocainization before extracting the tooth.
• Modern anesthesia has largely replaced cocainization in surgical practice.
• Cocainization provided temporary numbing for minor procedures.
• The technique of cocainization fell out of favor due to cocaine's addictive properties and availability of safer alternatives.