Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
SPLASH
I. verb
Etymology: alteration of plash
Date: 1715
intransitive verb
1. to strike and dash about a liquid or semiliquid substance, to move in or into a liquid or semiliquid substance and cause it to spatter,
2. a. to become spattered about, to spread or scatter in the manner of splashed liquid, to fall, strike, or move with a splashing sound , transitive verb
1. a. to dash a liquid or thinly viscous substance upon or against, to soil or stain with splashed liquid, to mark or overlay with patches of contrasting color or texture, to display prominently ,
2. to cause (a liquid or thinly viscous substance) to spatter about especially with force, to scatter in the manner of a splashed liquid, splasher noun
II. noun
Date: 1736
1. a. splashed liquid or semiliquid substance, a spot or daub from or as if from splashed liquid , a colored patch,
2. the action of splashing, a short plunge, a sound produced by or as if by a liquid falling, moving, being hurled, or oscillating,
4. a vivid impression created especially by ostentatious activity or appearance, ostentatious display, a small amount ; sprinkling