What does slabbered mean?
“Slabbered” is the past tense of “slabber,” a verb meaning to drool or emit saliva, especially in an excessive or messy way. Its literal use often suggests that someone or an animal is salivating while eating or hungry. It can also refer to spreading saliva over a person or object. The word is uncommon in modern formal English and may sound old-fashioned, regional, or deliberately expressive. Its strong physical associations make it useful when the writer wants to emphasize wetness, messiness, or animal-like appetite. Although close to “slobbered” in meaning, “slabbered” more specifically evokes the production or emission of saliva.
To drool or emit saliva from the mouth, especially excessively or while eating.
"The hungry dog slabbered over the food."
Relatively uncommon and informal; often conveys messy or exaggerated salivation.
To smear or spread saliva over something.
"The dog slabbered the child's shirt while greeting her."
Less common figurative extension of the basic sense.
“Slabbered” is to drool, but in its older figurative uses it can describe saliva spreading messily over a surface.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slabbered come from?
“Slabber” is of Middle English origin and belongs to a group of words associated with drooling or discharging saliva. It is related to Middle Dutch “slabben” and German “schlabbern,” both of which similarly refer to drooling or slobbering. The verb developed into the common form “slabbered,” while the related noun “slabber” can denote saliva itself.
Related word forms
How slabbered is actually used
The verb is relatively uncommon and has an informal, old-fashioned, or dialectal tone. In figurative use, it can suggest eager, messy eating or desire.
Easily confused with slabbered
“Slabbered” usually emphasizes drooling or producing saliva, whereas “slobbered” can also mean to smear a wet substance over something.