- saturate (v.)
- 1530s, "to satisfy, satiate," from L. saturatus, pp. of saturare "to fill full, sate, drench," from satur "sated, full," from PIE base *sa- "to satisfy" (see sad). Meaning "soak thoroughly" first recorded 1756. Marketing sense first recorded 1958. Saturation bombing first recorded 1942, in reference to Allied air raid on Cologne.