defoliant
A chemical agent used to cause leaves to fall off plants, often in military or agricultural contexts.
Defoliants were widely used during the Vietnam War.
Standard kanji spelling for this compound.
Variant spelling with okurigana; less common but still used.
Compound of 枯葉 (かれは, 'withered leaves') + 剤 (ざい, 'agent, chemical').