gargle

[gahr-guh l] /ˈgɑr gəl/
verb (used without object), gargled, gargling.
1.
to wash or rinse the throat or mouth with a liquid held in the throat and kept in motion by a stream of air from the lungs.
verb (used with object), gargled, gargling.
2.
to gargle (the throat or mouth).
3.
to utter with a gargling sound.
noun
4.
any liquid used for gargling.
5.
a gargling sound.
Origin
1520-30; < Middle French gargouiller to gargle, rattle the throat, derivative of gargouille throat; perhaps imitative
Related forms
gargler, noun
Examples from the web for gargle
  • gargle with this solution every few hours for maximum relief.
  • He is about to drink some of that health-giving water, or to gargle or inhale it or perhaps to bathe in it.
  • Don't anybody touch my posts and if you read them aloud, gargle.
  • Some of the subjects were told to gargle three times a day.
British Dictionary definitions for gargle

gargle

/ˈɡɑːɡəl/
verb
1.
to rinse (the mouth and throat) with a liquid, esp a medicinal fluid by slowly breathing out through the liquid
2.
to utter (words, sounds, etc) with the throaty bubbling noise of gargling
noun
3.
the liquid used for gargling
4.
the sound produced by gargling
5.
(Brit, informal) an alcoholic drink: what was her favourite gargle?
Derived Forms
gargler, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Old French gargouiller to gargle, make a gurgling sound, from gargouille throat, perhaps of imitative origin
Word Origin and History for gargle
v.

1520s, from Middle French gargouiller "to gurgle, bubble" (14c.), from Old French gargole "throat, waterspout," perhaps from garg-, imitative of throat sounds, + *goule, dialect word for "mouth," from Latin gula "throat." Related: Gargled; gargling. The earlier, native, form of the word was Middle English gargarize (early 15c.).

n.

1650s, from gargle (v.).

gargle in Medicine

gargle gar·gle (gär'gəl)
v. gar·gled, gar·gling, gar·gles
To force exhaled air through a liquid held in the back of the mouth, with the head tilted back, in order to cleanse or medicate the mouth or throat. n.
A medicated fluid used for gargling. Also called throatwash.

Slang definitions & phrases for gargle

gargle

noun

A drink, esp of liquor (1864+)

verb

To drain and flush the radiator of a truck (1930s+ Truckers)