sheep-dip

[ sheep-dip ]

/ ˈʃipˌdɪp /

a lotion or wash applied to the fleece or skin of sheep to kill vermin, usually applied by immersing the animals in vats.

Origin of sheep-dip

First recorded in 1860–65

By itself, railroad coffee is too passive; but sheep-dip makes it wake up and get down to business.

Following the Equator, Complete |Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
And they went by train with the bailiff from the farm, who was going in about some sheep-dip and to buy pigs.

The Wouldbegoods |E. Nesbit
Yet she was nonetheless set upon going on, and seeing the sheep-dip, and riding that fiendish mustang until the trip was ended.

The Call of the Canyon |Zane Grey
Whereupon Carley felt mount in her breast an intense and rebellious determination to see a sheep-dip.

The Call of the Canyon |Zane Grey

And the station-business doesn't pay for the sheep-dip to sanctify their coffee with.

Following the Equator, Complete |Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

sheep-dip

any of several liquid disinfectants and insecticides in which sheep are immersed to kill vermin and germs in their fleece

a deep trough containing such a liquid