v. 1 intr. (often foll. by through) a (of liquid etc.) filter or ooze gradually (esp. through a porous surface). b (of an idea etc.) permeate gradually. 2 tr. prepare (coffee) by repeatedly passing boiling water through ground beans. 3 tr. ooze through; permeate. 4 tr. strain (a liquid, powder, etc.) through a fine mesh etc. percolation n.
[ L percolare (as PER-, colare strain f. colum strainer) ]