*purgation*

n. [ L. expurgatio justification, excuse: cf. F. expurgation. ] The act of expurgating, purging, or cleansing; purification from anything noxious, offensive, sinful, or erroneous. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. purgatio: cf. F. purgation. See Purge. ] 1. The act of purging; the act of clearing, cleansing, or putifying, by separating and carrying off impurities, or whatever is superfluous; the evacuation of the bowels. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) The clearing of one's self from a crime of which one was publicly suspected and accused. It was either canonical, which was prescribed by the canon law, the form whereof used in the spiritual court was, that the person suspected take his oath that he was clear of the matter objected against him, and bring his honest neighbors with him to make oath that they believes he swore truly; or vulgar, which was by fire or water ordeal, or by combat. See Ordeal. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let him put me to my purgation. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]