Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
SWIPE
I. noun
Etymology: probably alteration of sweep
Date: 1739
a strong sweeping blow , a sharp often critical remark ,
II. verb (swiped; swiping)
Date: circa 1825
intransitive verb to strike or move with a sweeping motion, transitive verb to strike or wipe with a sweeping motion, steal , pilfer , to slide (a card with a magnetic strip or bar code) through a slot in a reading device so that information stored on the strip can be processed (as in making a purchase)