Swoop (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swooped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Swooping.] [OE. swopen, usually, to sweep, As. swapan to sweep, to rush; akin to G. schweifen to rove, to ramble, to curve, OHG. sweifan to whirl, Icel. sveipa to sweep; also to AS. swifan to move quickly. Cf. Sweep, Swift, a. & n., Swipe, Swivel.]
1.
To fall on at once and seize; to catch while on the wing; as, a hawk swoops a chicken.
2.
To seize; to catch up; to take with a sweep.
And now at last you came to swoop it all.
Dryden.
The grazing ox which swoops it [the medicinal herb] in with the common grass.
Glanvill.
© Webster 1913.
Swoop, v. i.
1.
To descend with closed wings from a height upon prey, as a hawk; to swoop.
2.
To pass with pomp; to sweep.
[Obs.]
Drayton.
© Webster 1913.
Swoop, n.
A falling on and seizing, as the prey of a rapacious bird; the act of swooping.
The eagle fell, . . . and carried away a whole litter of cubs at a swoop.
L'Estrange.
© Webster 1913.