expression, godan verb (-ku)
Standard expression for sweating, both literally and figuratively (e.g., from nervousness or effort).
暑くて汗をかいた。
It was hot and I sweated.
緊張して手に汗をかいた。
I was so nervous my hands got sweaty.
Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling.
Alternate kanji form using 掻く; less common but still encountered.
Compound of 汗 (sweat) + を (object marker) + かく (to emit, to let out). The verb かく here means 'to emit' or 'to produce' a bodily secretion, as also seen in 恥をかく (to be embarrassed) or あくびをかく (to yawn).