[sb. of action, f. L. cōlāre to strain: see COLATE and -ATION.] The action of straining or passing through a strainer.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 269. Colation is the transmission of that which is humid thorow a strainer, that the liquor may be had separated from the dryer substance.
1657. Tomlinson, Renou’s Disp., 50. Modes of preparation … as emollition, colation.
1678. in Phillips; also in Bailey, Johnson, and mod. Dicts., but app. Obs.
