I. ˈswäb 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
II. transitive verb
( swabbed ; swab·bing )
Etymology: back-formation from swabber
Date: 1719
1. : to clean with or as if with a swab
2. : to apply medication to with a swab
swabbed the wound with iodine