n.
- A stream of water, often containing medicinal or cleansing agents, that is applied to a body part or cavity for hygienic or therapeutic purposes.
- A stream of air applied in a similar way.
- The application of a douche.
- An instrument for applying a douche.
v., douched, douch·ing, douch·es. v.tr.
To cleanse or treat by means of a douche.
v.intr.
To cleanse or treat oneself with a douche.
[French, shower, from Italian doccia, conduit, back-formation from doccione, pipe, from Latin ductiō, ductiōn-, act of leading, from ductus, past participle of dūcere, to lead.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
