swaver

intransitive verb

swa·​ver

ˈswāvə(r)

dialectal, British

: stagger

Word History

Etymology

Middle English swaveren, perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian dail, sveiva to swing, Old Norse sveifla to swing, spin, svīfa to rove, ramble, drift

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now