%wabb%

n. [ D. zwabber; cf.D. zwabberen to swab, G. schwabbern, Dan. svabre, Sw. svab a swab, svabla to swab. ] 1. One who swabs a floor or desk. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) Formerly, an interior officer on board of British ships of war, whose business it was to see that the ship was kept clean. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Same as Swobber, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Cf. Prov. G. wabbeln to wabble, and E. whap. Cf. Quaver. ] To move staggeringly or unsteadily from one side to the other; to vacillate; to move the manner of a rotating disk when the axis of rotation is inclined to that of the disk; -- said of a turning or whirling body; as, a top wabbles; a buzz saw wabbles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A hobbling, unequal motion, as of a wheel unevenly hung; a staggering to and fro. [ 1913 Webster ]