To rid of microorganisms by cleaning or disinfecting.
To remove sensitive or personal data from (a database or file).
To filter (text) to ensure it does not contain any characters that will cause problems for or be interpreted in an adverse way by the receiving system.
To make something, such as a dramatic work, more acceptable by removing potentially offensive material.
To revise (a document) in order to prevent identification of the sources.
Near-synonym: bowdlerize
To use a swab on something, or clean something with a swab.
A sailor; a swabby.
A naval officer's epaulet.
A small piece of soft, absorbent material, such as gauze, used to clean wounds, apply medicine, or take samples of body fluids. Often attached to a stick or wire to aid access.
A mop, especially on a ship.
A piece of material used for cleaning or sampling other items like musical instruments or guns.
A sample taken with a swab (piece of absorbent material).