English

Noun

sponging-house ‎(plural sponging-houses)

1. (historical) A place of temporary confinement for debtors, kept by a bailiff, where debtors were sponged of all money they had on themselves, before being transferred to debtor's prison.
   • 1723, Charles Walker, Memoirs of Sally Salisbury, VI:

     she perswaded the Creditors to send Two Bayliffs, who carry'd me to a Spunging-House in a very weak Condition [...].