King James Bible Dictionary

to whelm that is cover wholly with a fluid; in the New Testament only in a qualified or specific sense that is (literally) to moisten (a part of one´ s person) or (by implication) to stain (as with dye)

1. to dip, dip in, immerse

2. to dip into dye, to dye, colour Not to be confused with 907, baptizo. The clearest example that showsthe meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physicianNicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making picklesand is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that inorder to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be 'dipped'(bapto) into boiling water and then 'baptised' (baptizo) in thevinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in asolution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act ofbaptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change.