noun / verb

daub

DAWB/dɔːb/

A rough smear or coating of material, or its application.

The woman daubs thick blue paint onto the panel in uneven streaks.

A young woman roughly smears thick blue paint onto a small wooden panel with a broad brush, leaving conspicuously uneven blobs and ridged streaks.

Etymology

Old French dauber meant to whitewash or plaster. Applying a coating to a surface connects directly with the English sense of smearing on soft, sticky material.

More examples

She daubs paint onto the cardboard with a sponge.
He daubed mud over the gaps between the logs.
Small daubs of glue hold the decorations in place.

Forms

daub · daubs · daubed · daubing

dauber noun — A tool or person that applies daubs.

Similar words

smear: Emphasizes spreading or streaking material rather than depositing a patch.
patch: Names a localized area without implying rough application.
coat: Suggests a covering layer, often more even or complete.