ablution
noun
definition: a washing or cleansing of oneself, especially as part of a religious observance or ritual.
example: Purification through ablution is a component of the Islamic prayer ritual.
Quotations
“State governor Jerry Brown has spoken about the drought conditions, giving residents water saving tips. Governor Brown has suggested people should avoid flushing toilets unnecessarily and should sparingly use water while performing ablutions.”
“He had found his soup too hot, and thrown it at the head of the chief turnkey, who in consequence of this ablution had been put to the inconvenience of having his skin come off as he wiped his face.” Alexandre Dumas The Black Tulip