launder
UK[ˈlɔːndə(r)]US[ˈlɔːndər]
v
To wash and iron clothes, sheets, etc.
v
To transfer (money obtained from illegal activities) through legitimate businesses or banks to conceal its origin.
Etymology
The word 'launder' has a direct lineage from the Latin verb 'lavare', which means 'to wash'. It entered English via the Old French 'lavandiere', a term for a washerwoman, which evolved into the Middle English 'lavendre' referring to both the person and the act. The modern verb 'to launder' retained this core meaning of washing textiles. In the 20th century, this concept of "cleaning" was metaphorically extended to the realm of finance, giving rise to the term 'money laundering', where illegally obtained funds are "washed" through complex transactions to appear clean and legitimate.
Analysis
The word 'launder' is a simplex form derived from the Middle English 'lavendre' or 'launder', which itself came from the Old French 'lavandiere', meaning a washerwoman. The ultimate origin is the Latin verb 'lavare', meaning 'to wash'.
Examples
She will launder the bed linens on Monday.
The hotel offers a service to launder guests' clothes.
The criminal organization used several shell companies to launder its profits.