Etymology From Middle English gobben (“to drink or swallow greedily”), of uncertain origin + -le (frequentative suffix). Middle English gobben is perhaps an alteration of Middle English globben (“to gulp down”), related to English gulpen (“to gulp”). However, compare also French gober.
1
To eat hastily or greedily; to scoff or scarf (often used with up)
He gobbled four hot dogs in three minutes.
He began, as his custom, to gobble it up, but when he had eaten for some time, he began to relax a little in his efforts, and at last he sat quite still, with his knife in his hand, looking at the pudding.1828, Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology, volume I, London: William Harrison Ainsworth, page 200:
1 more example
“The farm's had a lot of bad luck, you see. Dad thinks there is a curse on the place.” “Most like. Most like,” said Catweazle, gobbling the banana.1970, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 50:
Etymology From Middle English gobben (“to drink or swallow greedily”), of uncertain origin + -le (frequentative suffix). Middle English gobben is perhaps an alteration of Middle English globben (“to gulp down”), related to English gulpen (“to gulp”). However, compare also French gober.
[…] wrinkling his forehead and moving his jaws and throat violently, as if he expected to choke with each gobble.1983, Liam O'Flaherty, The Assassin, page 53:
3
Golf, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports A rapid straight putt so strongly played that, if the ball had not gone into the hole, it would have gone a long way past.
Ambitransitive Of a turkey, to make its characteristic vocalisation; also, used of certain other birds.
Not before this performance is over does he [a male capercaillie] settle down to play, and commence gobbling and snapping his beak.1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 72:
2
Ambitransitive To make the sound of a turkey.
He […] gobbles out a note of self-approbation.1774, Oliver Goldsmith, History of the Earth and Animated Nature:
gobble
noun
Etymology Onomatopoetic of the sound of a turkey.
1
The sound of a turkey; or, a similar vocalisation of another bird.
But while the hen continued her cackle he finished his first play, and had commenced the gobble of his second, when a twig cracked beneath my feet.1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 86: