AUTOTOMIZE is validvalid

to shed an appendage to escape a predator [v AUTOTOMIZED, AUTOTOMIZES, AUTOTOMIZING]

121,574 of 196,601 in NWL2023·also valid in CSW24

to effect an autotomy, the reflex loss of part of the body to save the whole (in lizards, etc.), also AUTOTOMISE [v AUTOTOMIZED, AUTOTOMIZING, AUTOTOMIZES]