I. ˈdri-bəl verb
( drib·bled ; drib·bling -(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: frequentative of drib to dribble
Date: circa 1589
transitive verb
1. : to issue sporadically and in small bits
2. : to let or cause to fall in drops little by little
3.
a. : to propel by successive slight taps or bounces with hand, foot, or stick
dribble a basketball
dribble a puck
b. : to hit (as a baseball) so as to cause a slow bouncing
intransitive verb
1. : to fall or flow in drops or in a thin intermittent stream : trickle
2. : to let saliva trickle from the corner of the mouth : drool
3. : to come or issue in piecemeal or desultory fashion
4.
a. : to dribble a ball or puck
b. : to proceed by dribbling
c. of a ball : to move with short bounces
• drib·bler -b(ə-)lər noun
II. noun
Date: circa 1680
1. : a tiny or insignificant bit or quantity
2. : a small trickling stream or flow
3. : an act, instance, or manner of dribbling a ball or puck
• drib·bly ˈdri-b(ə-)lē adjective