[douche] n [F, fr. It doccia, fr. docciare to douche, fr. doccia water pipe, prob. back-formation fr. doccione conduit, fr. L duction-, ductio means of conveying water, fr. ducere to lead--more at tow] (1766) 1 a: a jet or current esp. of water directed against a part or into a cavity of the body b: an act of cleansing with a douche
2: a device for giving douches 3 Brit: a rude awakening "the icy ~ (what he said about my work) --John Fowles" -- douche vb