The process of elutriating; a decanting or racking off by means of water, as finer particles from heavier.
Webster 1828 Edition
Elutriation
ELUTRIA'TION
,
Noun.
The operation of pulverizing a solid substance, mixing it with water, and pouring off the liquid,while the foul or extraneous substances are floating, or after the coarser particles have subsided, and while the finer parts are suspended in the liquor.