FUMBLE

I. verb (~d; fumbling) Etymology: probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish fumla to ~ Date: 1534 intransitive verb 1. to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly, to make awkward attempts to do or find something , to search by trial and error, blunder , to feel one's way or move awkwardly, 3. to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder, to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it, transitive verb to bring about by clumsy manipulation, 2. to feel or handle clumsily, to deal with in a blundering way ; bungle , to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner, 4. misplay , to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running, ~r noun fumblingly adverb II. noun Date: 1634 an act or instance of fumbling, a ~d ball