gar·gle
gargle
- pronunciation:
- gar
g
l
- parts of speech:
- verb, noun
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
gargled, gargles, gargling |
| definition: |
to tip the head back and breathe out through a liquid held at the back of the throat.
He gargled saltwater to soothe his sore throat. |
|
|
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
a liquid used for gargling.
|
| derivation: |
gargler (n.) |
Gargle comes from
gargouille, an early French word that means "throat."
Gargoyle comes from the same French word. The open mouths of gargoyles were often made into water spouts.