a large mop used on shipboard for cleaning decks, living quarters, etc.

a bit of sponge, cloth, cotton, or the like, sometimes fixed to a stick, for cleansing the mouth of a sick person or for applying medicaments, drying areas, etc.

the material collected with a swab as a specimen for microscopic study.

a brush or wad of absorbent material for cleaning the bore of a firearm.

Slang . a sailor; swabby.

Slang . a clumsy fellow.

to clean with or as if with a swab

to swab the decks.

to take up or apply, as moisture, with or as if with a swab

to swab soapy water from the decks.

to pass over a surface

to swab a mop over the decks.

verb

clean , cotton , daub , mop , scrub , sponge , wash , wipe