What is "deterge"

Deterge \De*terge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deterged; p. pr. & vb. n. Deterging.] [L. detergere, detersum; de + tergere to rub or wipe off: cf. F. d['e]terger.] To cleanse; to purge away, as foul or offending matter from the body, or from an ulcer.

1620s, from French déterger (16c.), from Latin detergere (see detergent).

vb. To clean of undesirable material

v. wipe away; to wash off or out, cleanse; chiefly in medical use: to clear away foul matter from the body; "This drug is powerful enough to deterge"