I. ˈdab noun
Etymology: Middle English dabbe
Date: 14th century
1. : a sudden blow or thrust : poke
2. : a small amount
3. : a gentle touch or stroke : pat
4. : daub
II. verb
( dabbed ; dab·bing )
Date: 1562
transitive verb
1. : to strike or touch lightly : pat
dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief
2. : to apply lightly or irregularly : daub
dab paint
intransitive verb
: to make a dab
• dab·ber noun
III. noun
Etymology: Anglo-French dabbe
Date: 15th century
: flatfish ; especially : any of several flounders (genus Limanda, especially L. limanda ) — compare sand dab
IV. noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1691
chiefly British : a skillful person