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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Swab

Swab, n.

noun

(swŏb), n. [Spelt also swoob, from the root of sweep: Sw. svabb, sopa, Dan. svabert, Icel. sōpr, D. zwabber, Ger. schwabber.]

Sense 1. A mop for cleaning floors, the decks of vessels, and the like.

Sense 2. A bit of sponge, cloth, or the like, fastened to a handle for cleansing the mouth of the sick, or for giving them nourishment.

Sense 3. An epaulet. [Colloq.] Marryatt.

Sense 4. A cod or pod, as of beans, pease, or the like. [Obs.] Bailey.

Swab, v. t.

verbtransitive

(swŏb), v. t. [imp. & p. p. SWABBED; p. pr. & vb. n. SWABBING.] [See supra; Sw. swabba, svabula, sopa, Dan. svabre, D. zwabberen, Ger. schwabbern.] To clean with a mop or swab; to wipe when wet, or after washing; as, to swab the deck of a ship.