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Webster 1913 Edition

Swabber

Swab′ber

,
Verb.
T.
To swab.
[R.]

Swab′ber

,
Noun.
[D.
zwabber
; cf.D.
zwabberen
to swab, G.
schwabbern
, Dan.
svabre
, Sw.
svab
a swab,
svabla
to swab.]
1.
One who swabs a floor or desk.
Shak.
2.
(Naut.)
Formerly, an interior officer on board of British ships of war, whose business it was to see that the ship was kept clean.
3.
Same as
Swobber
, 2.

Webster 1828 Edition

Swabber

SWAB'BER

,
Noun.
One that uses a swab to clean a floor or deck; on board of ships of war, an inferior officer, whose business is to see that the ship is kept clean.

Definition 2024

swabber

swabber

English

Alternative forms

Noun

swabber ‎(plural swabbers)

  1. One who swabs a floor or deck.
    • 1610, The Tempest, by Shakespeare, act 2 scene 2
      The master, the swabber, the boatswain, and I,
      The gunner, and his mate,
      Lov'd Mall, Meg, and Marian, and Margery,
      But none of us car'd for Kate: […]
  2. (nautical, historical) An interior officer on British warships, responsible for seeing that the ship was kept clean.
  3. (card games) Four privileged cards, formerly used in betting in whist.

Etymology

swab +‎ -er

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