swab

A small piece of absorbent material attached to the end of a stick or wire and used for cleansing a surface, applying medicine, or collecting a sample of a substance.

A sample collected with a swab.

A sponge or patch of absorbent material used to clean the bore of a firearm or cannon.

A mop used for cleaning floors or decks.

A sailor.

A lout.

To use a swab on.

To clean with a swab.

To collect a sample from (a person, for example) using a swab.