To cover, daub, or smear something all over or excessively, often in a clumsy or sloppy manner.
From Middle English 'bedubben,' formed with the prefix be- (meaning to cover or apply over) plus dub (from Old English 'dubban' meaning to strike or smear). The prefix be- intensifies the action.
The prefix 'be-' is a linguistic superpower in English—it transforms simple verbs into intensive ones, so 'dub' becomes 'bedub' meaning to slather completely, similar to how 'smirch' becomes 'besmirch.'
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