Dab v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dabbed p. pr. & vb. n. Dabbing.]
1. To strike or touch gently, as with a soft or moist substance; to tap; hence, to besmear with a dabber.
A sore should . . . be wiped . . . only by dabbing it over with fine lint. --S. Sharp.
2. To strike by a thrust; to hit with a sudden blow or thrust. “To dab him in the neck.”
dab
n 1: a light touch or stroke [syn: tap, pat]
2: a small quantity of something moist or soft; "a dab of
paint"; "a splatter of mud" [syn: splash, splatter]
v 1: apply (usually a liquid) to a surface; "dab the wall with
paint" [syn: swab, swob]
2: hit lightly; "pat him on the shoulder" [syn: pat]
[also: dabbing, dabbed]