n.
Pronunciation: ' swäb
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