swab also swob (swŏb)
n.

1. 1. A small piece of absorbent material attached to the end of a stick or wire and used for cleansing or applying medicine.
   2. A specimen of mucus or other material removed with a swab.
2. A sponge or patch of absorbent material used to clean the bore of a firearm or cannon.
3. A mop used for cleaning floors or decks.
4. Slang. A sailor.
5. Slang. A lout.

tr.v., swabbed, also swobbed, swab·bing, swob·bing, swabs, swobs.

1. To use a swab on.
2. To clean with a swab.
3. To take a specimen from (a person) using a swab.

[Back-formation from swabber, mop for a ship's deck (from obsolete Dutch *zwabber , from zwabben, to mop) or from obsolete Dutch swabbe, mop (from Middle Dutch).]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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