This is the 15115th most frequent Russian word.
поливать
To pour or water.
In this sentence, "поливать" implies applying water to a surface, here to clean or wet a path.
Мальчик поливает дорожку из шланга.
The boy is watering the path with a hose.
Here, "поливать" is used metaphorically to describe speaking continuously and abundantly, likening it to pouring water.
Он так много сказал, словно поливал словами.
He spoke so much, as if he was pouring words.
The word "поливать" here is used in its direct meaning: to pour water onto plants to nourish them.