to drool with greed; to make one's mouth water; to hanker after something delicious or desirable
Era:
Modern
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Story:
During the Song Dynasty, Su Shi had a close relationship with Sun Jue, the prefect of Wuxing, and they often composed poetry together. In 1072, Su Shi wrote the poem '将之湖州戏赠莘老' (Jokes to Xin Lao as I am about to go to Huzhou).
In it, he praised the local delicacies of Huzhou, writing lines such as '顾渚茶芽白于齿，梅溪木瓜红胜颊。吴儿脍缕薄欲飞，未去先说馋涎垂。' These lines vividly describe his anticipation and desire for Huzhou's famous Gugu tea buds (white as teeth), Meixi's papayas (redder than cheeks), and the thinly sliced fish sashimi (so thin it seemed to fly) prepared by the local people, implying that his mouth was already watering before he even arrived.