drench

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Drenched p. pr. & vb. n. Drenching. ] [ AS. drencan to give to drink, to drench, the causal of drincan to drink; akin to D. drenken, Sw. dränka, G. tränken. See Drink. ] 1. To cause to drink; especially, to dose by force; to put a potion down the throat of, as of a horse; hence. to purge violently by physic. [ 1913 Webster ]

As “to fell, ” is “to make to fall, ” and “to lay, ” to make to lie.” so “to drench, ” is “to make to drink.” Trench. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To steep in moisture; to wet thoroughly; to soak; to saturate with water or other liquid; to immerse. [ 1913 Webster ]

Now dam the ditches and the floods restrain;
Their moisture has already drenched the plain. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]