also: ちょうず
noun
water for washing hands
Refers to water used for washing or moistening the hands, especially in ritual contexts such as at a shrine's temizuya.
神社の入り口で手水を使って手を清めた。
I purified my hands using the water at the shrine entrance.
茶室に入る前に手水で手を洗う。
Before entering the tea room, wash your hands with water.
手水舎 is the roofed basin where 手水 is performed; 手水 is the water itself or the act of washing.
Compound of 手 (hand) and 水 (water). The reading ちょうず is a sound change from てみず.