lave v. [trans.] POETIC/LITERARY wash: she ran cold water in the basin, laving her face and hands. (of water) wash against or over (something): the sea below laved the shore with small, agitated waves. la*va*tion n. Old English lafian, from Latin lavare 'to wash'; reinforced in Middle English by Old French laver. lav*en*der n. 1 a small aromatic evergreen shrub of the mint family, with narrow leaves and bluish-purple flowers. Lavender has been widely used in perfumery and medicine since ancient times. Genus Lavandula, family Labiatae. - the flowers and stalks of such a shrub dried and used to give a pleasant