— expectorator , n.
/ik spek"teuh rayt'/ , v. , expectorated, expectorating .
v.i.
1. to eject or expel matter, as phlegm, from the throat or lungs by coughing or hawking and spitting; spit.
v.t.
2. to eject or expel (matter) in this way.
[ 1595-1605; expectoratus (ptp. of expectorare to expel from the breast), equiv. to ex- EX- 1 + pector- (s. of pectus ) breast + -atus -ATE 1 ]