ex·pec·to·rate [ ik spéktə ràyt ](past and past participleex·pec·to·rat·ed, present participleex·pec·to·rat·ing, 3rd person present singularex·pec·to·rates)
transitive and intransitive verb
Definition:
cough up and spit out phlegm: to cough up and spit out phlegm, thus clearing the bronchial passages
[Early 17th century. < Latin expectorat-, past participle of expectorare "get out of the chest" < pectus "chest, breast"]
