Etymology: < French douche shower (late 16th cent. in Middle French as doulche ; 1804 or earlier with reference to a jet of water applied to a bodily cavity or passage) < Italian doccia conduit-pipe (13th cent.), stream of water for washing, shower (1499), of uncertain origin; perhaps < doccione tube, pipe (14th cent.; perhaps < classical Latin ductiōn- , ductiō duction n., with remodelling of the ending by association with Italian -one : see -oon suffix); compare also docciare (see douche v.).Compare German Dusche (late 18th cent.; < French).

Etymology: < douche n., perhaps after German duschen (late 18th cent.) or its etymon French doucher (1762).The following earlier quot. probably shows a different word (perhaps a variant of douse v.², although if so, its form is difficult to explain):1618 Verie Plaine Treat. conc. Baptisme 34 If anie one do dippe or douche a Child 3. times in the water in the name of the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost.