Question

What reaction means, literally, “splitting with water"?

Answer 1

hydrolysis

Esters are neutral compounds, unlike the acids from which they are formed. In typical reactions, the alkoxy  OR  group of an ester is replaced by another group. One such reaction is hydrolysis, literally splitting with water.  The hydrolysis of esters is catalyzed by either an acid or a base. Acidic hydrolysis is simply the reverse of esterification. The ester is heated with a large excess of water containing a strong-acid catalyst. Like esterification, the reaction is reversible and does not go to completion.