I. ˈdätə(r) intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English doteren, perhaps alteration of toteren to totter — more at totter
dialect Britain : to walk shakily : totter
II. ˈdäd.ə(r), -ätə- noun
( -s )
Etymology: dot (II) + -er
1. : one that makes dots
2. : a worker who by means of a centering machine locates the optical and focal centers, axis, and terminal points of ground lenses to guide workers who will cut, edge, trim, and mount the lenses — called also spotter
3. : a device for training gun pointers without using ammunition consisting of a vertically oscillating paper target close to the gun's muzzle that is dotted by an electrically operated pencil at the point at which the sights are directed when the pointer presses the firing key