swipe

swipe noun plural swipes

[count] 1 informal : a criticism or insult that is directed toward a particular person or group
▪ She took a swipe at her former company in her latest column.

2 : a swinging movement of a person's hand, an animal's paw, etc., that is done in an attempt to hit something
▪ a swipe of the cat's paw ▪ He took a swipe at the ball. [=he swung at the ball and tried to hit it]