lob

 
Pronunciation: /lɒb/

verb (lobs, lobbing, lobbed)

[with object and adverbial of direction]
  • throw or hit (a ball or missile) in a high arc: he lobbed the ball over their heads
  • [with object] (in soccer or tennis) kick or hit the ball over (an opponent) in a high arc: he managed to lob the keeper

noun

  • (in sport) a ball lobbed over an opponent or a stroke producing this result: Federer played a lob and Nadal’s high volley was in the net
  • Cricket a ball bowled with a slow underarm action.

Origin:

late 16th century (in the senses 'cause or allow to hang heavily' and 'behave like a lout'): from the archaic noun lob 'lout', 'pendulous object', probably from Low German or Dutch (compare with modern Dutch lubbe 'hanging lip'). The current sense dates from the mid 19th century