Definition of "imbibition"

For beſide the common way and road of reception by the root, there may be a refection and imbibition from without; For gentle ſhowrs refreſh plants, though they enter not their roots; [...]

1658, Thomas Browne, “The Garden of Cyrus. […]. Chapter IIII.”, in Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall, […] Together with The Garden of Cyrus, […], London: […] Hen[ry] Brome […]; reprinted as Hydriotaphia (The English Replicas), New York, N.Y.: Payson & Clarke Ltd., 1927, pages 163–164