What does "embrocate" mean?

To rub (a diseased part) with a moistened or liquid substance, usually an oil, on a cloth or sponge.

What is a synonym for "embrocate"?

Common synonyms include: anoint, anele, anoint, apply, beeswax, daub.

verb

verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Verb

1
To rub (a diseased part) with a moistened or liquid substance, usually an oil, on a cloth or sponge. archaic, transitive
2
administer an oil or ointment to; often in a religious ceremony of blessing wordnet

From Medieval Latin embrocatus, past participle of Late Latin embrocare, from embrocha, from Ancient Greek ἐμβροχή (embrokhḗ, “lotion, fomentation”).

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.