Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa ("of a hundred paths") 2.1.1.3

2.1.1.3

athādbhirabhyukṣati | eṣa vā apāṃ sambhāro yadadbhirabhyukṣati tadyadapaḥ sambharatyannaṃ vā āpo 'nnaṃ hi vā āpastasmādyademaṃ lokamāpa āgacantyathehānnādyaṃ jāyate tadannādyenaivainametatsamardhayati

He then sprinkles (the lines) with water. When he thus sprinkles (the fire-place) with water, that is the equipment (of the fire) with water. The reason why he brings water is that water is food; for water is indeed food: hence when water comes to this world, food is produced here. Thus he thereby supplies it (the fire) with food.