macerate
Definitions
To soften or break down food by soaking it in a liquid.
To cause to become thin or wasted, typically through starvation or disease.
To steep or soak in a liquid to extract an ingredient or flavor.
Examples
You should macerate the strawberries in sugar for at least an hour before serving them over shortcake.
The chef decided to macerate the dried fruits in spiced rum to enhance their flavor for the holiday pudding.