v. trans. ‘To soak or fill the interstices [of] with water’ (Webster, 1828). Chiefly in passive. Hence Water-soaked ppl. a.; Water-soaking vbl. sb. Water-soak sb. rare, the state of being water-soaked.
1791. Steevens, in Boswell, Johnson, an. 1784. The conductors to the wheels, suns, stars, &c. were so thoroughly water-soaked, that it was impossible any part of the exhibition should be made.
1821. J. Thompson, Action of Fluid, 7. Suppose a log of water-soaked timber … balanced on one end … it would not be found any more floatsome in consequence of its position.
1865. E. Burritt, Walk to Land’s End, 114. The park proper … was as sour, water-soaked and humpy as any portion of Richmond Park.
1902. Woods Hutchinson, in Contemp. Rev., Oct., 491. We came to regard a condition of permanent water-soak as part of our normal environment.
1909. Eliz. Banks, Myst. Frances Farrington, 248. A black velvet hat … giving evidence of much water-soaking. Ibid. The District Attorney turned to another parcel…. Its contents were soiled, water-soaked underwear.
