To fill something with a quality or feeling, or to soak something in liquid to extract flavor or properties.
From Latin infusus (poured in), from in- (into) and fundere (to pour). Both the literal (pouring) and figurative (filling with qualities) meanings date to Middle English.
Tea and coffee are made by infusing—and the word literally means 'to pour in'—so when you're making tea you're participating in one of the oldest culinary techniques that the Romans described with this exact term.
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