"Desaturated" means to remove or reduce the intensity, brightness, or colorfulness of something. It describes something that appears duller, faded, or lacking in vibrant colors. Full definition
The patches of desaturated color on and around her (the water caused them to bleed onto another page) seem to glow. (artnews.com)
Colors are true - looking, skin tones are normal, and the slightly desaturated palette captures the visual design of the Seventies — even before Rush was spotted courtside in a full plaid jumpsuit. (moviemet.com)
While comparisons to The Aviator (the other megalomaniac - biopic starring Leonardo DiCaprio) and Public Enemies (with which Eastwood's film shares a key showdown between Hoover and Senator McKellar from 1936) seem inevitable, J. Edgar was shot and color - corrected to more closely resemble Changeling, with its patina of desaturated copper - green hues and a meticulous eye for the specific materials of the period's rooms and attire. (slantmagazine.com)