slaver

1 of 3

verb

slavered; slavering ˈsla-v(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce slaver (audio)
ˈslā-,
ˈslä-

transitive verb

archaic : to smear with or as if with saliva

slaver

2 of 3

noun (1)

: saliva dribbling from the mouth

slaver

3 of 3

noun (2)

slav·​er ˈslā-vər How to pronounce slaver (audio)
1
a
: a ship used in the slave trade
b
: a person engaged in the slave trade
2

Examples of slaver in a Sentence

Verb a dog slavering over a bone Noun (1) slaver dripped from the snarling dog's jaws
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Sue has no discernible personality or thoughts, but the TV network — led by a slavering man named Harvey (Dennis Quaid) — has hired her for this hosting gig, the moment that will solidify her stardom. Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025 One decorous young professional after another is attacked and transformed into a slavering monster, until at last all the residents converge in the heated pool. Becca Rothfeld, The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024
Noun
The painting refers to the decade-plus effort to have Tubman honored on the U.S. $20 bill, replacing murderous tyrant and slaver Andrew Jackson. Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025 That was Salem, a different town, haunted by witch trials and slaver fortunes, but all the classic New England coastal markers were laid out: early sunsets, family secrets, bizarre architecture, the distinct gloom and glint of the northern eastern seashore. Dwyer Murphy june 24, Literary Hub, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for slaver

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse slafra to slaver; akin to Middle Dutch slabben to slaver

Noun (2)

slave entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of slaver was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slaver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slaver. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

slaver

1 of 2 verb
sla·​ver ˈslav-ər How to pronounce slaver (audio)
ˈslāv-
slavered; slavering -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce slaver (audio)

slaver

2 of 2 noun
slav·​er
ˈslā-vər
1
: a person who traffics or holds enslaved people
2
a ship used to traffic enslaved people

Medical Definition

slaver

1 of 2 intransitive verb
slavered; slavering -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce slaver (audio)
: drool

slaver

2 of 2 noun
: saliva dribbling from the mouth

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