Cauterization is the process of burning to remove or close a part of the body. It is sometimes done for medical reasons, as to treat some kind of wound in an area, for instance, or sometimes performed as a recreational body modifcation.

Accidental burns can be considered cauterization as well.

Cauterization was used to stop heavy bleeding, especially during amputations. Special medical instruments called cauters were used to cauterize arteries. Ambroise Paré introduced the technique of ligature of the arteries in lieu of cauterization.