- cloaca (n.)
- 1650s, Modern Latin, euphemism for "sewer," from Latin cloaca "sewer, drain," from cluere "to cleanse," from PIE root *kleue- "to wash, clean" (cf. Greek klyzein "to dash over, wash off, rinse out," klysma "liquid used in a washing;" Lithuanian šluoju "to sweep;" Old English hlutor "pure, clear"). Related: Cloacinal.