from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Steep \Steep\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Steeped} (st[=e]pt); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Steeping}.] [OE. stepen, probably fr. Icel. steypa
to cause to stoop, cast down, pour out, to cast metals,
causative of st[=u]pa to stoop; cf. Sw. st["o]pa to cast, to
steep, Dan. st["o]be, D. & G. stippen to steep, to dip. Cf.
{Stoop}, v. i.]
To soak in a liquid; to macerate; to extract the essence of
by soaking; as, to soften seed by steeping it in water. Often
used figuratively.
[1913 Webster]
Let fancy still my sense in Lethe steep. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
In refreshing dew to steep
The little, trembling flowers. --Wordsworth.
[1913 Webster]
The learned of the nation were steeped in Latin.
--Earle.
[1913 Webster]