Origin and history of dunk

c. 1400, "a coloring or dyeing agent, a dye, pigment," from Latin tinctura "act of dyeing or tingeing," from tinctus, past participle of tingere "to tinge, dye, soak in color," originally "moisten, to wet, soak," which is reconstructed to be from PIE root *teng- "to soak" (source also of Old High German dunkon "to soak," Greek tengein "to moisten").

Also from c. 1400 in reference to medicinal ointments, perhaps originally especially those that discolor the skin or from being imbued with the essential principles of the substance. Hence the meaning "solution of medicine in a mixture of alcohol," recorded by 1640s.

As "process of coloring" from early 15c. The extended or figurative sense of "infused or derived quality or tone" is from 1610s. The verb is recorded from 1610s, "imbue with color." Related: Tinctured.

Tincturation "preparation of a tincture" is attested by 1860. Tinction has been used for "preparation for dyeing, coloring matter ready for use" (1891).

popular name of a German-American Anabaptist sect, 1756, from (Pennsylvania) German Tunker, from tunken, dunken "to dip, soak" (see dunk (v.)). So called because they practice adult baptism by triple immersion. The proper name is Brethren.

"a severe blow," 1670s, probably from a Scandinavian source (compare Norwegian slamre, Swedish slemma "to slam, bang") of imitative origin. The meaning "a violent closing of a door" is from 1817. The meaning "an insult, put-down" is from 1884.

Slam-bang (adv.) "suddenly, violently, noisily" is by 1806 (earlier slap-bang, 1785). Slam-dunk in basketball is from 1976 (see dunk (v.)); early use often in reference to Julius "Dr. J" Erving. Slam-dance (v.) is attested by 1987 (slam by itself in this sense is recorded from 1983).