gargle

[ gahr-guh l ]
/ ˈgɑr gəl /

verb (used without object), gar·gled, gar·gling.

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), gar·gled, gar·gling.

to gargle (the throat or mouth).
to utter with a gargling sound.

noun

any liquid used for gargling.
a gargling sound.

Origin of gargle

1520–30; < Middle French gargouiller to gargle, rattle the throat, derivative of gargouille throat; perhaps imitative

OTHER WORDS FROM gargle

gar·gler, noun

Example sentences from the Web for gargle

British Dictionary definitions for gargle

gargle
/ (ˈɡɑːɡəl) /

verb

to rinse (the mouth and throat) with a liquid, esp a medicinal fluid by slowly breathing out through the liquid
to utter (words, sounds, etc) with the throaty bubbling noise of gargling

noun

the liquid used for gargling
the sound produced by gargling
British informal an alcoholic drink what was her favourite gargle?

Derived forms of gargle

gargler, noun

Word Origin for gargle

C16: from Old French gargouiller to gargle, make a gurgling sound, from gargouille throat, perhaps of imitative origin

Medical definitions for gargle

gargle
[ gärgəl ]

v.

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. throatwash