"formation of bubbles in fluid," 1895, from cavity + -ation. Earlier as a medical term, "formation of cavities in the body" (1868).
Entries linking to cavitation
cavity n.
"a hollow place, empty space in the body," 1540s, from French cavité (13c.), from Late Latin cavitatem (nominative cavitas) "hollowness," from Latin cavus "hollow" (from PIE root *keue- "to swell," also "vault, hole").
-ation
the end of some nouns of action; see -ate + -ion.
cavitate v.
"to form cavities or bubbles (in a fluid)," 1892 (implied in cavitated), back-formation from cavitation or else formed from cavity + -ate (2) . Related: Cavitating.