Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Slough \Slough\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Sloughed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Sloughing}.] (Med.)
   To form a slough; to separate in the form of dead matter from
   the living tissues; -- often used with off, or away; as, a
   sloughing ulcer; the dead tissues slough off slowly.

Sloughing \Slough"ing\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
   The act of casting off the skin or shell, as do insects and
   crustaceans; ecdysis.

Source : WordNet®

sloughing
     n : the process whereby something is shed [syn: {shedding}]