fri·ca·tion \friˈkāshən\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English fricacioun, from Latin frication-, fricatio, from fricatus (past participle of fricare to rub) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at friction 1.obsolete: friction; specifically: a rubbing of the body with the hands 2. a.: a fricative sound b.: the frictional rustling of a fricative sound