What is "steeping"

Steep \Steep\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Steeped (st[=e]pt); p. pr. & vb. n. Steeping.] [OE. stepen, probably fr. Icel. steypa to cause to stoop, cast down, pour out, to cast metals, causative of st[=u]pa to stoop; cf. Sw. st["o]pa to cast, to steep, Dan. st["o]be, D. & G. stippen to steep, to dip. Cf. Stoop, v. i.] To soak in a liquid; to macerate; to extract the essence of by soaking; as, to soften seed by steeping it in water. Often used figuratively.

Let fancy still my sense in Lethe steep.
--Shak.

In refreshing dew to steep The little, trembling flowers.
--Wordsworth.

The learned of the nation were steeped in Latin.
--Earle.

Etymology 1 n. An instance of steeping, a wetting. vb. (present participle of steep English) Etymology 2

alt. (context historical currency) A 13th-century coin circulated in Ireland as a debased sterling silver penny, outlawed under Edward I. n. (context historical currency) A 13th-century coin circulated in Ireland as a debased sterling silver penny, outlawed under Edward I.

Steeping is the soaking in liquid (usually water) of a solid so as to extract flavours or to soften it.The specific process of teas being prepared for drinking by leaving the leaves in heated water to release the flavour and nutrients is known as stewing. Herbal teas may be prepared by decoction, infusion, or maceration. Some solids are soaked to remove an ingredient, such as salt from smoked ham or salted cod, where the solute is not the desired product.