Daub (da̤b), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Daubed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Daubing.] [OE. dauben to smear, OF. dauber to plaster, fr. L. dealbare to whitewash, plaster; de- + albare to whiten, fr. albus white, perh. also confused with W. dwb plaster, dwbio to plaster, Ir. & OGael. dob plaster. See Alb, and cf. Dealbate.] 1. To smear with soft, adhesive matter, as pitch, slime, mud, etc.; to plaster; to bedaub; to besmear.
She took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch. Ex. ii. 3.
2. To paint in a coarse or unskillful manner.
If a picture is daubed with many bright and glaring colors, the vulgar admire it is an excellent piece. I. Watts.
A lame, imperfect piece, rudely daubed over. Dryden.
3. To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to disguise; to conceal.
So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue. Shak.
4. To flatter excessively or glossy.
I can safely say, however, that, without any daubing at all,
I am very sincerely your very affectionate, humble servant. Smollett.
5. To put on without taste; to deck gaudily.
Let him be daubed with lace. Dryden.