Desiccates (5)
I believe the answer is:
dries
'desiccates' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for dries that I've seen before include "Airs, desiccates" , "Rides (anag.)" , "Hardline Tories" , "Removes moisture from" , "Loses moisture" .)