SWABBING

swabbing, mopping

(noun) cleaning with a mop; “he gave it a good mopping”

SWAB

dab, swab, swob

(verb) apply (usually a liquid) to a surface; “dab the wall with paint”

swab, swob

(verb) wash with a swab or a mop; “swab the ship’s decks”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Verb

swabbing

present participle of swab

Noun

swabbing (plural swabbings)

The act of one who swabs.

Source: Wiktionary

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SWAB

Swab, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swabbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Swabbing.] Etym: [See Swabber, n.]

Definition: 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. Etym: [Written also swob.]

1. A kind of mop for cleaning floors, the desks of vessels, etc., esp. one made of rope-yarns or threads.

2. A bit of sponge, cloth, or the like, fastened to a handle, for cleansing the mouth of a sick person, applying medicaments to deep- seated parts, etc.

3. (Naut.)

Definition: An epaulet. [Sailor's Slang] Marryat.

4. A cod, or pod, as of beans or pease. [Obs.] Bailey.

5. A sponge, or other suitable substance, attached to a long rod or handle, for cleaning the bore of a firearm.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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