Defn: A yearly expedition on the Thames to take up young swans and mark them, as by Companies of Dyers and Vintners; — called also swan-hopping. [Eng.] Encyc. Brit.
SWAP
Swap, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swapped; p. pr. & vb. n. Swapping.] Etym:
[OE. swappen to strike; cf. E. to strike a bargain; perh. akin to E.
sweep. Cf. Swap a blow, Swap, v. i.] [Written also swop.]
1. To strike; — with off. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] "Swap off his head!" Chaucer.
2. To exchange (usually two things of the same kind); to swop. [Colloq.] Miss Edgeworth.
SWAP
Swap, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Swap, v. t.]
1. To fall or descend; to rush hastily or violently. C. Richardson (Dict.). All suddenly she swapt adown to ground. Chaucer.
2. To beat the air, or ply the wings, with a sweeping motion or noise; to flap.
SWAP Swap, n. Etym: [Cf. G. schwapp, n., a slap, swap, schwapp, schwapps, interj., slap! smack! and E. swap, v.t.]
1. A blow; a stroke. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
2. An exchange; a barter. [Colloq.] Sir W. Scott.