gargle

gargle /gar·gle/ (gahr´g'l)

1. a solution for rinsing mouth and throat.

2. to rinse the mouth and throat by holding a solution in the open mouth and agitating it by expulsion of air from the lungs.

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gar·gle (gärgl)

v.

To force exhaled air through a liquid held in the back of the mouth, with the head tilted back, in order to cleanse or medicate the mouth or throat.

n.

A medicated fluid used for gargling. Also called throatwash.

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gargle

[gär′gəl]

Etymology: Fr, gargouille, drainpipe

1  v, to hold and agitate a liquid at the back of the throat by tilting the head backward and forcing air through the solution. The procedure is used for cleansing or medicating the mouth and oropharynx.

2  n, a solution used to rinse the mouth and oropharynx.

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gargle

noun A liquid preparation of H₂O₂ or other substance used as an intraoral wash–eg, for sore throat, which is not intended to be ingested verbTo tilt an opened and fluid, often mouthwash-filled mouth heavenwards, allowing air to emanate from the trachea, resulting in a gurgling sound