I. kə-ˈthär-tik adjective
Etymology: Late Latin or Greek; Late Latin catharticus, from Greek kathartikos, from kathairein
Date: 1612
: of, relating to, or producing catharsis
cathartic drugs
a cathartic experience
• ca·thar·tic·al·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē adverb
II. noun
Date: 1651
: a cathartic medicine : purgative