Affusion

Affusion (another name for pouring or sprinkling), although previously' practiced, did not become general until the 13th century in the Western Church, which permits it, although the ancient practice of immersion, or dipping, has never been formally abolished in favor of pouring water on the person to be baptized. Affusion was probably an indulgence to clinics, or persons baptized at the point of death, and then extended to infants in delicate health. The Eastern Church retains dippling, and insists on rebaptism by immersion in all cases where it has not been observed. See SPRINKLING.