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Origin and history of douche

douche(n.)

1766, "jet of water or current applied to some part of the body," from French douche (16c.), from Italian doccia "shower," from docciare "to spray," from Latin ductionem "a leading" (from ducere "to lead," from PIE root *deuk- "to lead"). The sense in reference to vaginal cleansing is by 1833. The verb is attested by 1838. Related: Douched; douching.

also from 1766

Entries linking to douche

douchebag(n.)

also douche-bag, douche bag, 1893, from douche + bag (n.). American English slang sense of "contemptible person" attested by 1967.

*deuk-

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to lead."

It might form all or part of: abduce; abducent; abduct; abduction; adduce; aqueduct; circumduction; conduce; conducive; conduct; conductor; conduit; deduce; deduction; dock (n.1) "ship's berth;" doge; douche; ducal; ducat; Duce; duchess; duchy; duct; ductile; duke (n.); educate; education; induce; induction; introduce; introduction; misconduct; produce; production; reduce; reduction; seduce; seduction; subduce; subduction; taut; team (n.); teem (v.1) "abound, swarm, be prolific;" tie (n.); tow (v.); traduce; transducer; tug; Zugzwang.

It might also be the source of: Latin dux (genitive ducis) "leader, commander," in Late Latin "governor of a province," ducere "to lead;" Old English togian "to pull, drag," teonteon "to pull, drag;" German Zaum "bridle," ziehen "to draw, pull, drag;" Middle Welsh dygaf "I draw."

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    clean
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