What word, spelled with a single 's' (d-e-s-e-r-t), contrasts with the culinary term dessert?

Answer

An arid or barren area

The single 's' spelling denotes a geographically defined arid region or the verb meaning to abandon, clearly separating it from the sweet culinary course which requires a double 's'.

What word, spelled with a single 's' (d-e-s-e-r-t), contrasts with the culinary term dessert?
meaningfoodworddessert