v. t. [ L. abstergere, abstersum; ab, abs + tergere to wipe. Cf. F absterger. ] To make clean by wiping; to wipe away; to cleanse; hence, to purge. [ R. ] Quincy. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. abstergens, p. pr. of abstergere. ] Serving to cleanse, detergent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A substance used in cleansing; a detergent; as, soap is an abstergent. [ 1913 Webster ]