v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. (also absol.) wash (one's mouth and throat), esp. for medicinal purposes, with a liquid kept in motion by breathing through it.
2 intr. make a sound as when doing this.
--n.
1. a liquid used for gargling.
2 sl. an alcoholic drink.
Etymology: F gargouiller f. gargouille: see GARGOYLE