gargle

verb

1. (intransitive)To clean one's mouth by holding water or some other liquid in the back of the mouth and blowing air out from the lungs.

   “She hated the poisoned feeling in her throat, and no matter how often she gargled she felt unclean and disgusting.”

2. (intransitive)To make a sound like the one made while gargling.
3. (transitive)To clean a specific part of the body by gargling (almost always throat or mouth).

   “They don't gargle their throats with anything stronger than coffee at this tavern.”

4. (transitive)To use (a liquid) for purposes of cleaning one's mouth or throat by gargling.

   “Every morning he gargled a little cheap Scotch.”

5. (slang, transitive)To perform oral sex on (a person or genitals).

   “I'd like to gargle his marbles.”

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A liquid used for gargling.

   “But the case was pressing, and the nearest medical practitioner was sent for. On examining the throat, he expressed his desire that a physician should be called in, and accordingly a gentleman, duly authorized, made his appearance, and prescribed gargles and diluents secundem artem.”

   “Take of borax 1 drm., tinc. of myrrh 1/2 oz., clarified honey 1 oz., rose or distilled water, 4 oz.; mix. To be used as a gargle or mouth wash in sore mouth or affection of the gums.”

2. (countable)The sound or act of gargling.
3. (countable, slang, uncountable)Lager or other alcoholic drink.
4. (alt-of, obsolete)Obsolete form of gargoyle.