Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - imbibe

 verb  (~d; imbibing)  Etymology: Middle English enbiben to absorb, cause to absorb, from Latin ~re to drink in, absorb, from in- + bibere to drink — more at potable  Date: 14th century  transitive verb  1. archaic soak, steep  2.  a. to receive into the mind and retain ~ moral principles  b. to assimilate or take into solution  3.  a. drink  b. to take in or up a sponge ~s moisture  intransitive verb  1. drink 2  2.  a. to take in liquid  b. to absorb or assimilate moisture, gas, light, or heat  • ~r noun