The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Cauterization \Cau`ter*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. caut[`e]risation.]
   (Med.)
   The act of searing some morbid part by the application of a
   cautery or caustic; also, the effect of such application.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

cauterization
    n 1: the act of coagulating blood and destroying tissue with a
         hot iron or caustic agent or by freezing [syn: cautery,
         cauterization, cauterisation]