Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Gasp \Gasp\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Gasped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Gasping}.] [OE. gaspen, gaispen, to yawn, gasp, Icel. geispa
   to yawn; akin to Sw. g["a]spa, Dan. gispe to gasp.]
   1. To open the mouth wide in catching the breath, or in
      laborious respiration; to labor for breath; to respire
      convulsively; to pant violently.

            She gasps and struggles hard for life. --Lloyd.

   2. To pant with eagerness; to show vehement desire.

            Quenching the gasping furrows' thirst with rain.
                                                  --Spenser.

Source : WordNet®

gasping
     adj : breathing laboriously or convulsively [syn: {blown}, {out of
           breath(p)}, {panting}, {pursy}, {short-winded}, {winded}]