drool
UK[druːl]US[druːl]
v
To let saliva flow out of the mouth
n
Saliva that flows out of the mouth
Etymology
The word 'drool' is a relatively recent formation in English, first appearing in the early 19th century. It is believed to be an alteration or variant of the earlier word 'drivel', which itself has Old English origins. Both words are considered to be of imitative origin, meaning they were coined to phonetically resemble the sound or messy action of saliva escaping the mouth. This onomatopoeic quality connects the word's form directly to its core meaning, bypassing a complex etymological lineage from classical languages. The semantic journey is thus short and intuitive, evolving from a sound-imitating creation to a standard term for involuntary salivation.
Analysis
The word 'drool' is a simplex word of imitative origin, likely formed to mimic the sound or action associated with dribbling saliva. Its functional role is as a complete lexical unit.
Examples
The baby began to drool when he saw the food.
He wiped the drool from his chin with a napkin.
The idea was so appealing it made him drool.