What is to clear from impurities, as lees, dregs, etc.; to clarify; to purify; to refine. To defecate the dark and muddy oil of amber. Boyle called?

defecate — To clear from impurities, as lees, dregs, etc.; to clarify; to purify; to refine. To defecate the dark and muddy oil of amber. Boyle. (Webster's 1913.)