dab, v.¹ — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

dab v.¹

1. (UK Und./police) to take a suspect’s fingerprints.

1941		V. Davis Phenomena in Crime 36: Have you been mugged and dabbed?
2002		J. Cameron Hell on Hoe Street 170: Forensics all over the shop. They even dabbed for fingerprints.

2. see dub v.¹

SE in slang uses

In phrases

dab it up (v.) [SE dab, i.e. the writing down of one’s owings]

to run up credit at a public house.

1823

‘Jon Bee’ Dict. of the Turf, the Ring, the Chase, etc.

dab out (v.) [SE dab, to strike or cause to strike (usu. with something soft and of broadish surface); thus the slapping of clothes on a washboard etc.]

to do the laundry; to wash.

1886		S. Watson Wops the Waif 8/2: I’ve ‘dabbed’ out myself and made myself as clean as I can.
1889–90		Barrère & Leland Dict. of Sl., Jargon and Cant.

dab the paint (v.)

in boxing, to jab with the fist.

1858

A. Mayhew Paved with Gold 189: The return blow came quick as a racer’s kick and ‘dabbed the paint’ about the giant’s ‘meat-mincer,’ making the lip rise like balm.

dab v.1

SE in slang uses

In phrases

dab v.¹