sal ‧ i ‧ vate /ˈsæləveɪt, ˈsælɪveɪt/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
1 . to produce more saliva in your mouth than usual, especially because you see or smell food
2 . to look at or show interest in something or someone in a way that shows you like or want them very much – used to show disapproval SYN drool
salivate at/over
The media are salivating over the story.
—salivation /ˌsæləˈveɪʃ ə n, ˌsælɪˈveɪʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable]