Lavement
/ˈleɪv.mənt/noun
An enema or medicinal injection into the rectum, especially in older medical usage.
Did you know?Lavement entered English from French medical usage, and in older European medicine it referred to a cleansing procedure tied to the ancient idea that purging the body could restore balance.
Etymological Timeline
Latin (Classical)
Latin
lavāre
“to wash”
Late Latin
Latin
lavāmentum
“a washing, washing away”
Old French
Old French
lavement
“a washing; later, a clyster or enema”
Middle English
English
lavement
“a washing; an enema”
Modern English
English
lavement
“an enema, especially in historical or medical contexts”