Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Empiricism \Em*pir"i*cism\, n.
   1. The method or practice of an empiric; pursuit of knowledge
      by observation and experiment.

   2. Specifically, a practice of medicine founded on mere
      experience, without the aid of science or a knowledge of
      principles; ignorant and unscientific practice;
      charlatanry; quackery.

   3. (Metaph.) The philosophical theory which attributes the
      origin of all our knowledge to experience.

Source : WordNet®

empiricism
     n 1: (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge derives from
          experience [syn: {empiricist philosophy}, {sensationalism}]
     2: the application of empirical methods in any art or science
     3: medical practice and advice based on observation and
        experience in ignorance of scientific findings [syn: {quackery}]