What is "devocalization"

Devocalize \De*vo"cal*ize\, v. t. To make toneless; to deprive of vowel quality. -- De*vo`cal*i*za"tion, n.

If we take a high vowel, such as (i) [= nearly i of bit], and devocalize it, we obtain a hiss which is quite distinct enough to stand for a weak (jh).
--H. Sweet.

n. Act or process of devocalize.

Devocalization (also known as ventriculocordectomy or vocal cordectomy and when performed on dogs is commonly known as debarking or bark softening) is a surgical procedure applied to dogs and cats, where tissue is removed from the animal’s vocal cords to permanently reduce the volume of their vocalizations.