American spelling: to make liver-like in appearance or texture, or to undergo the process of hepatization.
From hepatic- (liver) + -ize (American verb ending). This is the standard American English form, while British English uses hepatise.
The -ize versus -ise spelling difference between American and British English is one of those charming historical quirks that reminds us these aren't just preference—they reflect how the medical communities in each country formalized their vocabulary.
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