expression, godan verb (-u)
take a tub bath; bathe in a washtub
Refers to bathing in a traditional Japanese washtub (行水), often outdoors or in a simple setting. The expression is somewhat old-fashioned, as modern bathrooms are more common.
夏の夕方、庭で行水を使った。
On a summer evening, I took a tub bath in the garden.
Standard kanji spelling for the expression.
Kana spelling of the verb part; less common but still used.
行水 is the noun meaning 'tub bath' or the act of bathing in a washtub. 行水を使う is the verb phrase meaning 'to take such a bath'.
Compound of 行水 (gyōzui, 'tub bath') + を (object marker) + 使う (tsukau, 'to use'). The expression literally means 'to use a tub bath'.