淘漉 (táo lù) is a classical two-character verb meaning 'to wash and strain'—typically referring to the process of rinsing fine particles (like sand, grain, or medicinal herbs) in water and then filtering out impurities. The first character 淘 means 'to wash away sediment by agitating in water', evoking the motion of sifting; the second character 漉 means 'to drain or strain through a filter or sieve'. Together, they describe a meticulous, often labor-intensive purification process rooted in traditional agriculture, apothecary practice, and metallurgy.

Though rare in modern spoken Chinese, 淘漉 appears in historical texts, poetic descriptions of rural life, and classical recipes—especially when preparing animal-derived medicines (e.g., washing and straining crushed insect parts) or cleaning animal feed. Its tone is formal and literary; learners will encounter it mainly in reading classical prose or specialized historical or medical contexts—not in daily conversation.