[swab] n [prob. fr. obs. D swabbe; akin to LG swabber mop] (1653) 1 a: mop; esp: a yarn mop b (1): a wad of absorbent material usu. wound around one end of a small stick and used 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
[2]swab vt swabbed ; swab.bing [back-formation fr. swabber] (1719) 1: to clean with or as if with a swab
2: to apply medication to with a swab "swabbed the wound with iodine"