daub
UK[dɔːb]US[dɑːb]
v
To spread a thick, soft substance like paint or mud on a surface in a rough or careless way.
n
A patch or smear of a thick, soft substance.
Etymology
The word 'daub' entered English in the 14th century from the Old French verb 'dauber', meaning 'to whitewash, plaster, or paint'. The Old French term likely derived from the Latin 'dealbare', meaning 'to whitewash', which itself is a compound of 'de-' (thoroughly) and 'albus' (white). The core semantic thread from Latin to modern English involves the application of a coating. Over time, the specific association with whitewashing faded, and the meaning generalized to the rough or unskilled application of any viscous substance, while retaining the fundamental concept of covering a surface.
Analysis
The word 'daub' is a simplex word of Old French origin, borrowed into Middle English. It does not contain separable, meaningful morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
The children daubed bright paint all over the wall.
His clothes were covered in daubs of clay from the pottery studio.
The artist would daub the canvas with thick layers of oil color.