Sal"i*vate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Salivated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Salivating.] [L. salivatus, p.p. of salivare to salivate. See Saliva.]

To produce an abnormal flow of saliva in; to produce salivation or ptyalism in, as by the use of mercury.

<-- v.i. To produce saliva, esp. in excess. 2. To drool. 3. (Fig.) To anticipate keenly with pleasure, as though salivating at the expectation of a delicious meal. Used often with over.; as, salivate over the prospects of high profits from an enterprise.

Probably influenced by the experiments of Pavlov, who trained dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell, by previously ringing the bell immediately prior to feeding them. -->

 

© Webster 1913.