Cupping meaning : The operation of drawing blood to or from the surface of the person by forming a partial vacuum over the spot. A similar operation for drawing pus from an abscess. Fire cupping, a traditional therapeutic treatment called in which heated cupping glasses are applied to the skin, supposedly to draw blood towards the surface. The taking of a small amount of a beverage such as tea or coffee into the mouth in order to taste it; a session where this is done.