Ablution (noun)

1. The act of washing oneself or one's clothes or body as a religious rite.
2. A washing or cleansing of something, especially as a ritual.

Origin:

From the latin word "ablutio" which means "washing" or "cleansing", the word was first used in the 16th century in english.

Examples:

1. The mosque provided facilities for the ablution of the worshippers.
2. Ablution is a necessary step in the Islamic prayer ritual.
3. The ablution of the hands and face is an important part of the Hindu puja ceremony.
4. The ablution of the surgical instruments is necessary to avoid infections.
5. The ablution of the body is a way of purifying oneself before prayer.