n.
Pronunciation: ' g ə lp
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from a Middle Dutch or Middle Low German word akin to Dutch & Frisian gulpen to bubble forth, drink deep; akin to Old English gielpan to boast ― more at YELP
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one swallow
2 : to keep back as if by swallowing < gulp down a sob>
3 : to take in readily as if by swallowing < gulp down knowledge>
intransitive verb : to catch the breath as if in taking a long drink
– gulp noun
– gulp · er noun