wisik
English: Translation
sprinkle; flick liquid; scatter in droplets
English: Definition
To disperse a small quantity of water or another liquid into droplets by a quick flicking, shaking, or throwing motion, especially from the hand. May be used for lightly wetting plants or other surfaces.
Part of Speech
verb
Notes
Semantic Domain
Physical actions; Water and liquids
Notes
The defining feature is deliberate dispersal of liquid as relatively small droplets, rather than pouring or producing a large splash.
For dampening laundry before ironing, riri appears to be the more specific Boie’nen term and should be preferred when that particular purpose is intended.
Linguistic History
Cognate with a widespread Philippine wisik family. Proto-Philippine *wisik has been reconstructed with the meaning ‘sprinkling or spraying’; Central Bikol likewise has wisik-an ‘sprinkle water on’ and mag-wisik ‘shake dry.’