gum2

 
Pronunciation: /gʌm/

noun

  • the firm area of flesh around the roots of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw: a tooth broken off just above the gum toothpastes made to keep your gums healthy [as modifier]: gum disease

verb (gums, gumming, gummed)

[with object]
  • chew (something) with toothless gums: the two-year-old gummed his mother’s plastic-coated ration card

Origin:

Old English gōma 'inside of the mouth or throat', of Germanic origin; related to German Gaumen 'roof of the mouth'