From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]: Gasp \Gasp\ (g[.a]sp), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Gasped (g[.a]spt); p. pr. & vb. n. Gasping.] [OE. gaspen, gaispen, to yawn, gasp, Icel. geispa to yawn; akin to Sw. g[aum]spa, Dan. gispe to gasp.] 1. To open the mouth wide in catching the breath, or in laborious respiration; to labor for breath; to respire convulsively; to pant violently. [1913 Webster] She gasps and struggles hard for life. --Lloyd. [1913 Webster] 2. To pant with eagerness; to show vehement desire. [1913 Webster] Quenching the gasping furrows' thirst with rain. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]