English▸ verb
(dabs, dabbing, dabbed)
[with object] 1 press against (something) lightly with a piece of absorbent material in order to clean or dry it:
he dabbed his mouth with his napkin
[no object] she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.
▪ apply (a substance) with light quick strokes:
she dabbed disinfectant on the cut.
▸ noun a small amount of something:
she licked a dab of chocolate from her finger.
▪ a brief application of cosmetic, paint, or the like to a surface:
apply concealer with light dabs.
▪ a small portion of cannabis oil or resin, or another drug in a highly concentrated form, that can be vaporized or burned and inhaled:
the patient reported taking a dab of marijuana approximately five hours before his appointment
the dab can be heated from underneath with a match, lighter, or candle until it begins to emit smoke.