Definition of the word launder

The word "launder" is derived from the Old French word "londre," which means "washing place" or "place for washing clothes." This term was used to refer to public laundry facilities located near bodies of water, such as rivers or streams, where clothes could be washed and cleaned. Over time, the term "launder" gradually came to refer to the act of washing and cleaning clothes, and it eventually evolved into a verb in English. The word "launderette," which is still used in British English, is a combination of the words "launder" and "etablissement," which means "establishment." Originally, it referred to a small business that provided washroom facilities and laundry services for a fee. Today, the term "laundromat" is a more common English term used to describe a public laundry facility, particularly in the United States. Although we no longer primarily use washing places located by bodies of water, the term "launder" still reflects its origins, as it evokes the image of washing clothes and carrying out the process of cleaning and refreshing them.