Dab (dăb), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Dabbed (dăbd); p. pr. & vb. n.Dabbing.] [OE. dabben to strice; akin to OD. dabben to pinch, knead, fumble, dabble, and perh. to G. tappen to grope.] 1. To strike or touch gently, as with a soft or moist substance; to tap; hence, to besmear with a dabber.
A sore should... be wiped... only by dabbing it over with fine lint. S. Sharp.
2. To strike by a thrust; to hit with a sudden blow or thrust. “To dab him in the neck.” Sir T. More.