Douche
/duːʃ/noun
A stream of water directed onto or into the body for cleansing or medical treatment.
Did you know?The word ultimately traces to Latin ducere, “to lead,” because the original concept involved water being guided through a pipe or channel.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
ducere
“to lead or guide”
Late Latin
Latin
ductia
“A conduit or channel for guiding water, reconstructed as the source of the later Romance form”
Medieval Italian
Italian
doccia
“A water pipe, water channel, or shower”
16th Century
Italian
docciare
“To shower or wash with a stream of water”
16th Century
French
douche
“A shower or application of water to the body”
18th Century
English
douche
“A medical or cleansing application of water”