What was baptism to the Jews before John the Baptist?

[christianmomof3]

Do any of ya'll know the Jewish history of baptism?
I know that it was around before John the Baptist, and I read about it once but can't remember where.
Thank you!

[Torah]

This might help.:wave:
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=222&letter=B&search=immersion