Gargarize

/ˈɡɑrɡərɑɪz/ verb

Definition

To gargle; to rinse the throat and mouth with a liquid, especially a medicinal solution.

Etymology

From Greek 'gargariazein,' the verb form meaning to make a gurgling sound or to rinse the throat, adopted into English medical and everyday vocabulary.

Kelly Says

The word 'gargarize' is pure onomatopoeia—it sounds like the gurgling noise you make when you actually do it, which is why it stuck around for centuries in medical texts!

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