gargle

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to wash the mouth or throat by holding liquid there and forcing air through it

   Gargle with warm salt water to soothe your throat.

2. 2
   noun

   a liquid preparation used for gargling

   The pharmacist recommended an antiseptic gargle.

3. 3
   noun

   the bubbling sound made while gargling

   A loud gargle came from the bathroom sink.

Simplified etymology

Gargle comes from French gargouiller, meaning “to gurgle or bubble,” which derives from gargouille, “throat.” Gargoyle comes from the same source, referring to a carved waterspout through whose throat and mouth water passes.

From French gargouiller, 'to gargle,' related to Old French gargouille, 'throat or waterspout.' Gargoyle belongs to the same sound-symbolic family, evoking liquid moving noisily through a throat or channel.

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External links

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