formed of humour, moisture, moistening, in pharmacy, the preparing of a medicine, by steeping it a while in water, in order to soften and moisten it when too dry; or to cleanse it, or prevent its subtle parts from being dissipated in grinding, or the like.

Humectation is also used for the application of moistening remedies.

In this sense we say, embrocations, emplasters, unctions, humectations, fomentations, &c.