Ab-stērge', v. t.

(14), v. t. [Fr. & Pr. absterger, Lat. abstergere, from ab, abs, and tergere, to wipe. Tergere may have a common origin with the A-S. drigan, drygan, drug an, to dry, to rub dry, to wipe, O. Sax. drūkanian, O. H. Ger. trukanjan, truckanōn, H. Ger. trocknen, Icel. thurka, Sw. torka, Gr. τρυγεῖν; A-S. drīg, dryg, Eng. dry, O. H. Ger. trukan, H. Ger. trocken.] To make clean by wiping; to cleanse by lotions or similar applications. [Rare.] Johnson.