Word Study
natation
CIDE DICTIONARY
natation, n. [L. natatio, fr. natare to swim: cf. F. natation. See Natant.].
The act of floating on the water; swimming. Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
natation, n. formal or literary the act or art of swimming.
Etymology
L natatio f. natare swim
ROGET THESAURUS
natation
Navigation
N navigation, aquatics, boating, yachting, ship, oar, paddle, screw, sail, canvas, aileron, natation, swimming, fin, flipper, fish's tail, aerostation, aerostatics, aeronautics, balloonery, balloon, ballooning, aviation, airmanship, flying, flight, volitation, wing, pinion, rocketry, space travel, astronautics, orbital mechanics, orbiting, voyage, sail, cruise, passage, circumnavigation, periplus, headway, sternway, leeway, fairway, mariner, flight, trip, shuttle, run, airlift, sailing, volant, aerostatic, seafaring, nautical, maritime, naval, seagoing, coasting, afloat, navigable, aerial, aeronautic, grallatory, under way, under sail, under canvas, under steam, on the wing, in flight, in orbit, bon voyage, spread the thin oar and catch the driving gale.For further exploring for "natation" in Webster Dictionary Online