phlebotomy

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The opening of a vein, either to withdraw blood or for letting blood; venesection.

   “Now butter with a leafe of Sage is good to Parge the bloud, Fly Venus and Phlebotomy for they are neither good.”

   “Phlebotomy is promiscuously used before and after physick, commonly before and upon occasion is often reiterated, if there be any need at least of it.”

   “He had even taken from his pocket a cupping apparatus, and was about to proceed to phlebotomy, when the object of his anxious solicitude suddenly revived […].”

   “Of course, members of the family were foremost in spilling loyal blood on Marston Moor, that great field of plebotomy to so may Cavaliers.”

   “Then she made an impatient gesture with her hand. "Time was, my dear colleague, when a snuff-box was as much part of my equipment as my phlebotomy case."”