(v) wipe away; to wash off or out, cleanse; chiefly in medical use: to clear away foul matter from the body, Example:This drug is powerful enough to deterge
v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Deterged p. pr. & vb. n. Deterging. ] [ L. detergere, detersum; de + tergere to rub or wipe off: cf. F. déterger. ] To cleanse; to purge away, as foul or offending matter from the body, or from an ulcer. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. detergens, -entis, p. pr. of detergere: cf. F. détergent. ] Cleansing; purging. -- n. A substance which cleanses the skin, as water or soap; a medicine to cleanse wounds, ulcers, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]