exfoliate vs shed

exfoliate is not a noun while shed is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
exfoliate	No	No	Yes	No
shed	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

As verbs, shed is a hypernym of exfoliate; that is, shed is a word with a broader meaning than exfoliate:

Other hypernyms of exfoliate include cast, cast off, drop, shake off, throw, throw away, throw off.

exfoliate (noun)	shed (noun)
	an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage

exfoliate (adjective)	shed (adjective)
	shed at an early stage of development

exfoliate (verb)	shed (verb)
grow by producing or unfolding leaves	cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
cast off in scales, laminae, or splinters	cause or allow (a solid substance) to flow or run out or over
remove the surface, in scales or laminae	to remove
spread by opening the leaves of	pour out in drops or small quantities or as if in drops or small quantities
come off in a very thin piece