What is the difference, in this case, between drinking (الشرب) and tasting (الطعْم) in Surat Al-Baqarah, Ayah 249, and why was "and whoever did not taste it" (ومن لم يطعمه) mentioned instead of "and whoever did not drink it" (ومن لم يشربه)?

The mentioned passage is from the story of Talut (Saul). The difference between "drinking" (شرب) and "tasting" (طعم) is that drinking (شرب) refers to consuming a large amount to quench thirst, whereas tasting (طعم) applies to even the smallest consumption, even if it's just a mere sip. This was to test their will and obedience, as clarified by the context of the verse: "So when Talut set forth with the soldiers, he said, 'Indeed, Allah will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it, he is not of me; and whoever does not taste it, then indeed, he is of me, except one who takes a [single] scoop with his hand.' But they drank from it, except a few of them."