dampening solution; dampening agent
Technical term used in offset printing; a liquid applied to the non-image areas of a printing plate to keep them ink-free.
Dampening solution is essential in offset printing.
Management of the dampening solution affects print quality.
Compound of 湿し (from verb 湿す 'to moisten') + 水 'water'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning.