Obs. [ad. med.L. lavāmentum, f. lavāre to wash. Cf. LAVEMENT.] A washing; concr., a wash, lotion.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 34 b/2. With cleane linnen … and with decent and convenient lavamentes, we ought to sustayne them [fistulous guts]. Ibid., 49/2. We may, in this disease vse certayne exsiccating Lavamentes.
1658. A. Fox, Würtz’ Surg., II. xii. 93. Make a Lavament of Liquorice, let it run gently into the Wound.
1823. J. Badcock, Dom. Amusem., 18. Herrings … undergo the first lavament in stale chamber-lye.
