Etymology Map
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Swab

2 stages from Dutch to English.

Today it means a pad for cleaning; to mop

Where does the word "swab" come from? It comes from Dutch zwabber, adopted directly into English (1650s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
zwabber
Dutch · 1600s
"mop"
a ship's mop, from 'zwabberen', to splash about
2
Stage 2 of 2
swab
English · 1650s
"mop"
sailors 'swabbed' the decks; a 'swabbie' is a sailor
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Read the full story

Swab’s story begins in Dutch: zwabber meant “mop.” A ship's mop, from 'zwabberen', to splash about. It reached English by 1650s as swab. Sailors 'swabbed' the decks; a 'swabbie' is a sailor. Today, swab means a pad for cleaning; to mop.