Which word means to lose water or moisture?

The word that means to lose water or moisture is "desiccate." This term specifically refers to the process of drying out or removing moisture from something, often to preserve that item or to prevent spoilage. It is commonly used in contexts such as food preservation, where desiccation can help extend the shelf life of products by reducing their water content, thereby inhibiting the growth of mold and bacteria.

While "evaporate" refers to the transformation of a liquid into vapor, which means it does involve a loss of moisture, it doesn't imply deliberate drying or preservation like "desiccate" does. "Dehydrate" is indeed another strong candidate, as it conveys a similar meaning of losing water, often in the context of bodily fluids or food. However, "desiccate" is often more focused on the methodical removal of moisture. "Condense," on the other hand, references the transition from a gaseous state to a liquid state, which is the opposite process and involves the accumulation of moisture rather than its loss.

Thus, "desiccate" is the most precise choice for the concept of losing or removing moisture.