What is the Latin word for spittle?

The usual Latin words for “spittle” are salīva, spuō, moveō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“spittle” in Latin

salīvaspittle, saliva spuōto spit, spew moveōto move, stir, set in motion; to disturb, shake, remove; to arouse, excite, promote, produce

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

spittle

saliva: humor oris (whether spit out of the mouth or not): sputum (only as spit out): oris excrementa, plur. (post-Augustan). To create spittle, sputum ciere, movere, or facere.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for spittle?: The usual Latin words for “spittle” are salīva, spuō, moveō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.