gargle

Etymology 1

From French gargouiller (“to gargle”), from Old French gargouille, gargole (“gutter, throat”). Compare gargoyle. Displaced Middle English gargargisen (“to gargle”) from Latin, and native Old English swillan (“to gargle”) (> English swill).

verb

1. (intransitive) to clean one's mouth by holding water or some other liquid in the back of the mouth and blowing air out from the lungs
   She hated the poisoned feeling in her throat, and no matter how often she gargled she felt unclean and disgusting. 1915, Willa Cather, The Song of the Lark
2. (intransitive) to make a sound like the one made while gargling
3. (transitive) to clean a specific part of the body by gargling (almost always throat or mouth)
   They don't gargle their throats with anything stronger than coffee at this tavern. 1893, Gilbert Parker, Mrs. Falchion
4. (transitive) to use (a liquid) for purposes of cleaning one's mouth or throat by gargling.
   Every morning he gargled a little cheap Scotch.

noun

1. A liquid used for gargling.
   Take of borax 1 drm., tinc. of myrrh 1/2 oz., clarified honey 1 oz., rose or distilled water, 4 oz.; mix. To be used as a gargle or mouth wash in sore mouth or affection of the gums. 1861, Young's Demonstrative Translation of Scientific Secrets
2. (countable) The sound or act of gargling.
3. (slang, countable, uncountable) Lager or other alcoholic drink.

Etymology 2

noun

1. Obsolete form of gargoyle.