wizened

The word "wizened" originates from the Old English verb "wisnian," meaning "to wither or dry up." The root "wizen" (from Proto-Germanic *wisinōną) reflects the natural process of aging or dehydration, often applied to plants or human skin. The suffix "-ed" marks it as a past participle, giving the adjective its modern sense of "shriveled by time." The word vividly captures the visual and tactile quality of something dried and aged, like fruit or an elderly person's skin.