I. ˈmä-t ə l noun
Etymology: probably back-formation from motley
Date: 1676
1. : a colored spot
2.
a. : a surface having colored spots or blotches
b. : the arrangement of such spots or blotches on a surface
3. : mosaic 5
• mot·tled -t ə ld adjective
II. transitive verb
( mot·tled ; mot·tling ˈmät-liŋ, ˈmä-t ə l-iŋ)
Date: 1676
: to mark with spots or blotches of different color or shades of color as if stained
• mot·tler ˈmät-lər, ˈmä-t ə l-ər noun