Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Desiccant \De*sic"cant\, a. [L. desiccans, p. pr. of desiccare.
   See {Desiccate}.]
   Drying; desiccative. -- n. (Med.) A medicine or application
   for drying up a sore. --Wiseman.

Source : WordNet®

desiccant
     n : a substance that promotes drying (e.g., calcium oxide
         absorbs water and is used to remove moisture) [syn: {drying
         agent}, {drier}, {sicative}]