drench definition

1. To cause to drink; especially, to dose by force; to put a potion down the throat of, as of a horse; hence. To purge violently by physic. "As "to fell," is "to make to fall," and "to lay," to make to lie." so "to drench," is "to make to drink."" (Trench)

2. To steep in moisture; to wet thoroughly; to soak; to saturate with water or other liquid; to immerse. "Now dam the ditches and the floods restrain; Their moisture has already drenched the plain." (Dryden)

Origin: AS. Drencan to give to drink, to drench, the causal of drincan to drink; akin to D. Drenken, Sw. Dranka, G. Tranken. See Drink.

A drink; a draught; specifically, a potion of medicine poured or forced down the throat; also, a potion that causes purging. "A drench of wine." "Give my roan horse a drench." (Shak)

Origin: AS. Drenc. See Drench.

(01 Mar 1998)