Main Entry:

¹swab

Pronunciation:

\ˈswäb\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

probably from obsolete Dutch swabbe; akin to Low German swabber mop

Date:

1653

1 a: mop ; especially : a yarn mop b (1): a wad of absorbent material usually wound around one end of a small stick and used especially for applying medication or for removing material from an area (2): a specimen taken with a swab c: a sponge or cloth patch attached to a long handle and used to clean the bore of a firearm2 a: a useless or contemptible person b: sailor, gob