—v.
1 intr. catch one's breath with an open mouth as in exhaustion or astonishment.
2 intr. (foll. by for) strain to obtain by gasping (gasped for air).
3 tr. (often foll. by out) utter with gasps.
—n. a convulsive catching of breath.
Phrases and idioms:
at one's last gasp
1 at the point of death.
2 exhausted.
Etymology: ME f. ON geispa: cf. geip idle talk
Useful english dictionary. 2012.