\En*cyst"ment\, n.
1. (Biol.) A process which, among some of the lower forms of
   life, precedes reproduction by budding, fission, spore
   formation, etc.
Note: The animal (a) first contracts its body to a globular
      mass (b) and then secretes a transparent cyst (c),
      after which the mass divides into two or more parts (as
      in d e), each of which attains freedom by the bursting
      of the cyst, and becomes an individual animal.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A process by which many internal parasites,
   esp. in their larval states, become inclosed within a cyst
   in the muscles, liver, etc. See {Trichina}.