To soak is precipitous (5)
I believe the answer is:
steep
I believe this is a double definition.
'to soak' is the first definition.
(I know that steep is a more specific form of the action imbue)
'is precipitous' is the second definition.
(synonyms)
(Other definitions for steep that I've seen before include "Almost perpendicular" , "Precipitous - exorbitant" , "Rapidly rising" , "Quickly rising" , "Unreasonably dear - soak" .)