Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Daub

Daub (dab) , transitive verb

[Old English dauben to smear, Old French dauber to plaster, from Latin dealbare to whitewash, plaster; de- + albare to whiten, from albus white, perh. also confused with Welsh dwb plaster, dwbio to plaster, Ir. & OGael. dob plaster. See Alb, and compare Dealbate.]

1.
To smear with soft, adhesive matter, as pitch, slime, mud, etc.; to plaster; to bedaub; to besmear.
She took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch. — Ex. ii. 3
2.
To paint in a coarse or unskillful manner.
If a picture is daubed with many bright and glaring colors, the vulgar admire it is an excellent piece. — I. Watts
A lame, imperfect piece, rudely daubed over. — Dryden
3.
To cover with a specious or deceitful exterior; to disguise; to conceal.
So smooth he daubed his vice with show of virtue. — Shakespeare
4.
To flatter excessively or glossy. [Rare]
I can safely say, however, that, without any daubing at all, I am very sincerely your very affectionate, humble servant. — Smollett
5.
To put on without taste; to deck gaudily. [Rare]
Let him be daubed with lace. — Dryden

Daub (dab) , intransitive verb

To smear; to play the flatterer.
His conscience... will not daub nor flatter. — South

Daub , noun

1.
A viscous, sticky application; a spot smeared or daubed; a smear.
2.
(Painting) A picture coarsely executed.
Did you... take a look at the grand picture?... 'T is a melancholy daub, my lord. — Sterne