Lap (?), v. i. [OE. lappen, lapen, AS. lapian; akin to LG. lappen, OHG. laffan, Icel. lepja, Dan. lade, Sw. läppja, L. lambere; cf. Gr. �, W. llepio. Cf. Lambent.] 1. To take up drink or food with the tongue; to drink or feed by licking up something.
The dogs by the River Nilus's side, being thirsty, lap hastily as they run along the shore. Sir K. Digby.
2. To make a sound like that produced by taking up drink with the tongue.
I heard the ripple washing in the reeds,
And the wild water lapping on the crag. Tennyson.