lap3

 
Pronunciation: /lap/

verb (laps, lapping, lapped)

[with object]
  • 1(of an animal) take up (liquid) with quick movements of the tongue: the cat was lapping up a saucer of milk
  • (lap something up) accept something eagerly and with obvious pleasure: she’s lapping up the attention
  • 2(of water) wash against (something) with a gentle rippling sound: the waves lapped the shore [no object]: the sound of the river lapping against the banks

noun

[in singular]
  • the action or sound of water washing gently against something: listening to the comfortable lap of the waves against the shore

Origin:

Old English lapian, of Germanic origin; related to Middle Low German and Middle Dutch lapen