godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
Casual word for sucking or licking something, often with the mouth or tongue. Used for candy, fingers, bones, etc. Can sound childish or informal.
子供が指をしゃぶっている。
The child is sucking their thumb.
飴をしゃぶりながら歩く。
I walk while sucking on a candy.
吸う is a more general and neutral verb for sucking, inhaling, or absorbing. しゃぶる is more specific to licking or sucking with the tongue and has a casual, sometimes childish tone.
舐める means to lick a surface. しゃぶる implies putting something in the mouth and sucking or licking it repeatedly, often with more oral contact.
The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the mimetic word しゃぶしゃぶ, suggesting a sucking or slurping sound, but this is not confirmed.