Lick (lĭk), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Licked (lĭkt); p. pr. & vb. n.Licking.] [AS. liccian; akin to OS. likkōn, D. likken, OHG. lecchōn, G. lecken, Goth. bi-laigōn, Russ. lizate, L. lingere, Gr. λείχειν, Skr. lih, rih. √121. Cf. Lecher, Relish.] 1. To draw or pass the tongue over; as, a dog licks his master's hand. Addison.
2. To lap; to take in with the tongue; as, a dog or cat licks milk. Shak.
To lick the dust, to be slain; to fall in battle. “His enemies shall lick the dust.” Ps. lxxii. 9. — To lick into shape, to give proper form to; — from a notion that the bear's cubs are born shapeless and subsequently formed by licking. Hudibras. — To lick the spittle of, to fawn upon. South. — To lick up, to take all of by licking; to devour; to consume entirely. Shak. Num. xxii. 4.