To reduce something to its essential parts or structure. The architect decided to skeletonize the design to focus on the core elements.
To remove flesh from a body, leaving only the skeleton. The forensic team worked to skeletonize the remains for further analysis.
Of insects: to consume the soft tissue of (a leaf) between the veins, leaving a skeleton-like network behind. Certain beetles skeletonize the leaves, leaving only a delicate lattice of veins.