Daub (?), 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.
[R.]
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.
[R.]
Let him be daubed with lace.
Dryden.
© Webster 1913.
Daub (?), v. i.
To smear; to play the flatterer.
His conscience . . . will not daub nor flatter.
South.
© Webster 1913.
Daub, n.
1.
A viscous, sticky application; a spot smeared or dabed; a smear.
2. Paint.
A picture coarsely executed.
Did you . . . take a look at the grand picture? . . . 'T is a melancholy daub, my lord.
Sterne.
© Webster 1913.