ABSTERGE

Etymology

Verb

absterge (third-person singular simple present absterges, present participle absterging, simple past and past participle absterged)

(transitive, archaic, now, rare) To make clean by wiping; to wipe away. [First attested in the early 16^th century.]

Synonyms: cleanse, purge

Source: Wiktionary

Ab*sterge, v. t. Etym: [L. abstergere, abstersum; ab, abs + tergere to wipe. Cf. F absterger.]

Definition: To make clean by wiping; to wipe away; to cleanse; hence, to purge. [R.] Quincy.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition