verb (used with object), ir·ri·gat·ed, ir·ri·gat·ing.
1.
to supply (land) with water by artificial means, as by diverting streams, flooding, or spraying.
2.
Medicine/Medical. to supply or wash (an orifice, wound, etc.) with a spray or a flow of some liquid.
3.
to moisten; wet.
Origin: 1605–15; < Latinirrigātus, past participle of irrigāre to wet, flood, nourish with water, equivalent to ir-ir-1 + rigā- (stem of rigāre to provide with water, soak) + -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
ir·ri·ga·tor, noun
non·ir·ri·gat·ed, adjective
non·ir·ri·gat·ing, adjective
o·ver·ir·ri·gate, verb (used with object), o·ver·ir·ri·gat·ed, o·ver·ir·ri·gat·ing.
re·ir·ri·gate, verb (used with object), re·ir·ri·gat·ed, re·ir·ri·gat·ing.
1623, from L. irrigatus, pp. of irrigare "lead water to, refresh," from in- "in" + rigare "to water, to moisten," of uncertain origin, perhaps cognate with O.E. regn "rain."