v. & n.
v.tr. 1 (often foll. by of, from) make physically or spiritually clean. 2 remove by a cleansing process. 3 rid (an organization, party, etc.) of persons regarded as undesirable. 4 a empty (the bowels). b empty the bowels of. 5 Law atone for or wipe out (an offence, esp. contempt of court).
n. 1 the act or an instance of purging. 2 a purgative. purger n.
[ ME f. OF purg(i)er f. L purgare purify f. purus pure ]