Originally: the weaning of a child or other young mammal. In later use also: suppression or cessation of lactation.
((n.) The weaning of a child from the breast, or of young
beasts from their dam.|--|(n.) The process of grafting now called inarching, or
grafting by approach.|--|)
Origin:
Late 15th century; earliest use found in Speculum Sacerdotale. From post-classical Latin ablactation-, ablactatio process of weaning (Vulgate) from ablactat-, past participial stem of ablactare + classical Latin -iō: see -ation.