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 firearm
2 a : a useless or contemptible person b : sailor, gob