abdest
/ˈɑːbdɛst/ /ˈabdɛst/(also abdast) Islam
noun
The ritual washing of parts of the body before prayer or handling the Qur'an; = woodoo.
- For a full description of the ritual and its requirements, see C. Glassé New Encycl. Islam (1989) at Wudu..
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Paul Rycaut (1629–1700), diplomat and author. From Ottoman Turkish abdest (Turkish abdest) and (in later use) its etymon Persian ābdast from āb water + dast hand, forearm.