DictionaryRoot: swillan
Old English

swillan

to wash or rinse

1 / 1
noun

swill

Liquid food waste.

The farmer pours the kitchen swill into the pigs' trough.

Etymology

The washing verb gave a name to liquid washings and leftovers. Swill became the mixed liquid food waste often fed to animals.

More examples

  • The kitchen staff collect swill separately from dry trash.
  • A bucket of swill waits beside the kitchen door.
  • The spilled swill leaves a sour smell on the floor.

Forms

swill

Similar words

slop
Can also describe spilled liquid or thin, unappetizing food.
scraps
Means leftover bits of food, not necessarily mixed with liquid.