Swab v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swabbed p. pr. & vb. n. Swabbing.] To clean with a mop or swab; to wipe when very wet, as after washing; as, to swab the desk of a ship. [Spelt also swob.]
swab
n 1: implement consisting of a small piece of cotton that is used
to apply medication or cleanse a wound or obtain a
specimen of a secretion
2: cleaning implement consisting of absorbent material fastened
to a handle; for cleaning floors [syn: swob, mop]
v 1: wash with a swab or a mop; "swab the ship's decks" [syn: swob]
2: apply (usually a liquid) to a surface; "dab the wall with
paint" [syn: dab, swob]
[also: swabbing, swabbed]