Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

poop1

[poop]
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a superstructure at the stern of a vessel.
  2. poop deck.
verb (used with object)
  1. (of a wave) to break over the stern of (a ship).
  2. to take (seas) over the stern.

Origin of poop1

1375–1425; late Middle English pouppe < Middle French < Latin puppis stern of a ship

poop2

[poop]
verb (used with object) Slang.
  1. to cause to become out of breath or fatigued; exhaust: Climbing that mountain pooped the whole group.
Verb Phrases
  1. poop out,
    1. to cease from or fail in something, as from fear or exhaustion: When the time for action came, they all pooped out and went home instead.
    2. to break down; stop functioning: The heater has pooped out again.

Origin of poop2

First recorded in 1885–90; perhaps to be identified with poop4

poop3

[poop]
noun Slang.
  1. relevant information, especially a candid or pertinent factual report; low-down: Send a reporter to get the real poop on that accident.

Origin of poop3

1945–50, Americanism; apparently extracted from poop sheet; cf. poop4

poop4

[poop]Slang.
noun
  1. excrement.
verb (used without object)
  1. to defecate.

Origin of poop4

1735–45; earlier “to break wind,” probably the same word as Middle English powpen, popen to sound or blow a horn; uncertain if poop2, poop3 are sense developments or parallel expressive coinages

poop5

[poop]
noun Slang.
  1. party pooper.
  2. a stupid, fussy, or boring person.

Origin of poop5

First recorded in 1910–15; perhaps shortening of nincompoop
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for poop

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

British Dictionary definitions for poop

poop1

noun
  1. a raised structure at the stern of a vessel, esp a sailing ship
  2. See poop deck
verb
  1. (tr) (of a wave or sea) to break over the stern of (a vessel)
  2. (intr) (of a vessel) to ship a wave or sea over the stern, esp repeatedly

Word Origin

C15: from Old French pupe, from Latin puppis poop, ship's stern

poop2

verb US and Canadian slang
  1. (tr; usually passive) to cause to become exhausted; tirehe was pooped after the race
  2. (intr usually foll by out) to give up or fail, esp through tirednesshe pooped out of the race

Word Origin

C14 poupen to blow, make a sudden sound, perhaps of imitative origin

poop3

noun
  1. US and Canadian slang
    1. information; the facts
    2. (as modifier)a poop sheet

Word Origin

of unknown origin

poop4

verb (intr)
  1. to defecate
noun
  1. faeces; excrement

Word Origin

perhaps related to poop ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for poop

n.1

"stern deck of a ship," c.1400, from Middle French poupe "stern of a ship" (14c.), from Old Provençal or Italian poppa, from Latin puppis "poop, stern," of uncertain origin. Poop deck attested by 1779.

n.2

"excrement," 1744, a children's euphemism, probably of imitative origin. The verb in this sense is from 1903. Cf. the same word in the sense "to break wind softly," attested from 1721, earlier "to make a short blast on a horn" (late 14c.). Meaning "stupid or dull person" is from 1915. Pooper-scooper attested from 1970.

n.3

"up-to-date information," 1941, in poop sheet, U.S. Army slang, of unknown origin, perhaps from poop (n.2).

v.

"become tired," 1931, of unknown origin (see pooped). Related: Pooping.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper