defecate

[def-i-keyt] /ˈdɛf ɪˌkeɪt/
verb (used without object), defecated, defecating.
1.
to void excrement from the bowels through the anus; have a bowel movement.
2.
to become clear of dregs, impurities, etc.
verb (used with object), defecated, defecating.
3.
to clear of dregs, impurities, etc.; purify; refine.
Origin
1565-75; < Latin dēfaecātus (past participle of dēfaecāre to cleanse, refine), equivalent to dē- de- + faec- (stem of faex dregs, sediment) + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
defecation, noun
British Dictionary definitions for defecate

defecate

/ˈdɛfɪˌkeɪt/
verb
1.
(intransitive) to discharge waste from the body through the anus
2.
(transitive) to clarify or remove impurities from (a solution, esp of sugar)
Derived Forms
defecation, defaecation, noun
defecator, defaecator, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin dēfaecāre to cleanse from dregs, from de- + faex sediment, dregs
Word Origin and History for defecate
v.

1570s, "to purify," from Latin defaecatus, past participle of defaecare "cleanse from dregs, purify," from the phrase de faece "from dregs" (plural faeces; see feces). Excretory sense first recorded 1830 (defecation), American English, from French. Related: Defecated; defecating.

defecate in Medicine

defecate def·e·cate (děf'ĭ-kāt')
v. def·e·cat·ed, def·e·cat·ing, def·e·cates
To void feces from the bowels.

def'e·ca'tion n.