■ noun
1》 an absorbent pad used in surgery and medicine for cleaning wounds or applying medication.
↘a specimen of a secretion taken with a ~.
2》 a mop or other absorbent device for cleaning or mopping up.
3》 archaic a contemptible person.
↘ US another term for ~bie .
■ verb ( ~s , ~bing , ~bed ) clean or absorb with a ~.
Origin
C17: back-form. from ~ber 'sailor detailed to ~ decks', from early mod. Du. zwabber .