aspersion

Aspersion (la. ), in a religious context, is the act of sprinkling with water, especially holy water. Aspersion is a method used in baptism as an alternative to immersion or affusion. The word is formed of the Latin , 'to sprinkle', of ad, 'to', and spargo, 'I scatter' (, 1 Corinthians 10:2, cf. Psalm 77:16-20).