v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Depopulated p. pr. & vb. n. Depopulating ] [ L. depopulatus, p. p. of depopulari to ravage; de- + populari to ravage, fr. populus people: cf. OF. depopuler, F. dépeupler. See People. ] To deprive of inhabitants, whether by death or by expulsion; to reduce greatly the populousness of; to dispeople; to unpeople. [ 1913 Webster ]

Where is this viper,
That would depopulate the city? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ It is not synonymous with laying waste or destroying, being limited to the loss of inhabitants; as, an army or a famine may depopulate a country. It rarely expresses an entire loss of inhabitants, but often a great diminution of their numbers; as, the deluge depopulated the earth. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To become dispeopled. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Whether the country be depopulating or not. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. depopulatio pillaging: cf. F. dépopulation depopulation. ] The act of depopulating, or condition of being depopulated; destruction or explusion of inhabitants. [ 1913 Webster ]

The desolation and depopulation [ of St.Quentin ] were now complete. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L., pillager. ] One who depopulates; a dispeopler. [ 1913 Webster ]