According to Wikipedia, Februa (singular februum) was also the name of the instruments used in the ceremony of purification. (Wikipedia does not enlighten us as to what form these instruments took!)
Google Translate renders the Latin word februum into English as 'fever'.
The Roman festival of Februa (also known, according to Wikipedia, as dies Februatus – 'the day of purification') later became known as Lupercalia.
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