AFFUSION

affusion

(noun) the act of baptizing someone by pouring water on their head

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

affusion (countable and uncountable, plural affusions)

The pouring of liquid, especially as a hydrotherapy.

A method of Christian baptism in which water is poured on the head of the person being baptized.

Usage notes

Sometimes confused with effusion (“an outpouring of liquid”).

Source: Wiktionary

Af*fu"sion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. affusion.]

Definition: The act of pouring upon, or sprinkling with a liquid, as water upon a child in baptism. Specifically: (Med)

Definition: The act of pouring water or other fluid on the whole or a part of the body, as a remedy in disease. Dunglison.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition