Etymology Contracted from Old English lavender, French lavandièare, Late Latin [[lavandena, from Latin lavare to wash. See lave Pronunciation Laun"der IPA: // SAMPA: // Noun (Obsolete): A washerwoman (Mining): A trough used by miners to receive the powdered ore from the box where it is beaten, or for carrying water to the stamps, or other apparatus, for comminuting, or sorting, the ore Intransitive verb Imperfect and past participle: Laundered Present participle: laundering To wash, as clothes; to wash, and to smooth with a flatiron or mangle; to wash and iron; as, to launder shirts. (Obsolete): To lave; to wet. - Shakespeare
