EXPECTORATE

expectorate, cough up, cough out, spit up, spit out

(verb) discharge (phlegm or sputum) from the lungs and out of the mouth

expectorate, clear out, drive out

(verb) clear out the chest and lungs; “This drug expectorates quickly”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

expectorate (third-person singular simple present expectorates, present participle expectorating, simple past and past participle expectorated)

(ambitransitive) To cough up fluid from the lungs.

(ambitransitive) To spit.

Source: Wiktionary

Ex*pec"to*rate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Expectorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Expectorating.] Etym: [L. expecrorare to drive from the breast; ex out + pectus, pectiris, breast. See Pectoral.]

Definition: To eject from the trachea or lungs; to discharge, as phlegm or other matter, by coughing, hawking, and spitting; to spit forth.

Ex*pec"to*rate, v. i.

Definition: To discharge matter from the lungs or throat bu hawking and spitting; to spit.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition