Green’s Dictionary of Slang

swat v.¹

to hit.

1848		Report of the Hunker Meeting in Albany June n.p.: Tell me that again, and I’ll swot you over the mug [B].
1898		H.H. Lewis A Gunner Aboard the ‘Yankee’ 24: It was the custom to ‘swat’ the last man with a club.
1903		‘Hugh McHugh’ Out for the Coin 66: Murf sat on his chest and swatted him in the ribs.
1908		H. Green Maison De Shine 197: She swatted Mr. de Shine, and when the Property Man protested he got a swat for himself.
1912		Day Book (Chicago) 23 Mar. 15/2: She ups with her umbrella and swatted John on on the bugle.
1915		Wodehouse Psmith Journalist (1993) 170: So wit dat he makes a break at swattin’ me one, but I swats him one, an’ I swats de odder feller one, an’ den I swats dem bote some more.
1925		O.O. McIntyre New York Day by Day 20 Dec. [synd. col.] The house policemen are hard guys [...] When they swat they swat.
1942		R.L. Bellem ‘Color of Murder’ Dan Turner – Hollywood Detective Dec. 🌐 This unknown party had [...] swatted me and then conked Diane!
1959		E. De Roo Go, Man, Go! 11: He’d have to duck Pa’s swat after that. Pa hadn’t swatted him in a long time.
1960		E. De Roo Big Rumble 16: You talk like that when Mr. White’s here and I’ll swat ya.
1972		Hall & Adelman Gentleman of Leisure 162: And finally now I have someone swatting me around instead of confusing myself. I feel very female. I couldn’t find a square man who was that strong.
1988		Herald Rev. (Decatur, IL) 7 Feb. 3/3: Bean’r act’n up, swat’d ass couple times.
2000		hipslang.com 🌐 swat: (v.) to beat someone up ex. bitch you do that shit one more time and I’ll swat you!