Word Study
absterge
CIDE DICTIONARY
absterge, v. t. [L. abstergere, abstersum; ab, abs + tergere to wipe. Cf. F absterger.].
To make clean by wiping; to wipe away; to cleanse; hence, to purge. Quincy. [1913 Webster]
ROGET THESAURUS
absterge
Cleanness
VB be clean, render clean, clean, cleanse, mundify, rinse, wring, flush, full, wipe, mop, sponge, scour, swab, scrub, brush up, wash, lave, launder, buck, absterge, deterge, decrassify, clear, purify, depurate, despumate, defecate, purge, expurgate, elutriate, lixiviate, edulcorate, clarify, refine, rack, filter, filtrate, drain, strain, disinfect, fumigate, ventilate, deodorize, whitewash, castrate, emasculate, sift, winnow, pick, weed, comb, rake, brush, sweep, rout out, clear out, sweep out, make a clean sweep of.For further exploring for "absterge" in Webster Dictionary Online