What is "encystment"

Encystment \En*cyst"ment\, n.

1. (Biol.) A process which, among some of the lower forms of life, precedes reproduction by budding, fission, spore formation, etc. Note: The animal

   1. first contracts its body to a globular mass

   2. and then secretes a transparent cyst

   3. , after which the mass divides into two or more parts (as in d e), each of which attains freedom by the bursting of the cyst, and becomes an individual animal.

2. (Zo["o]l.) A process by which many internal parasites, esp. in their larval states, become inclosed within a cyst in the muscles, liver, etc. See Trichina.

n. 1 The formation of a cyst 2 The process of becoming enclosed by a cyst