To drain, is to put in a colander any thing that has been soaked,
washed, or boiled, etc., in water or any other liquid, in order to dry
it, or at least to let drop from it the water or other liquid that may
be in it.
Salads of greens, as a general thing, are drained after being washed,
before putting them in the salad-dish; they must be drained as dry as
possible, but without pressing on them, as it would wilt the leaves, and
give the salad an unsightly appearance.