Main Entry:: ¹scour
Pronunciation:: \ˈskau̇(-ə)r\
Function:: verb
Etymology:: Middle English, probably from Middle Dutch schuren, from Old French escurer, from Late Latin excurare to clean off, from Latin, to take good care of, from ex- + curare to care for, from cura care
Date:: 14th century

transitive verb1 a: to rub hard especially with a rough material for cleansing b: to remove by rubbing hard and washing2archaic : to clear (a region) of enemies or outlaws3: to clean by purging : purge4: to remove dirt and debris from (as a pipe or ditch)5: to free from foreign matter or impurities by or as if by washing <scour wool>6: to clear, dig, or remove by or as if by a powerful current of waterintransitive verb1: to perform a process of scouring2: to suffer from diarrhea or dysentery3: to become clean and bright by rubbing

— scour·er noun

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