Sob

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Middle English: perhaps of Dutch or Low German origin; compare with Dutch dialect sabben ‘to suck’.

wiktionary

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Perhaps of Dutch or Low German origin; compare with Dutch dialect sabben 'to suck'.

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

See sop.

etymonline

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sob (v.)

c. 1200, "to cry with short breaths," probably of imitative origin, related to Old English seofian "to lament," Old High German sufan "to draw breath," West Frisian sobje "to suck." Related: Sobbed; sobbing.

sob (n.)

late 14c., from sob (v.). Sob story is from 1913. Sob sister "female journalist who writes sentimental stories or advice columns" is from 1912.