n. & v.
n. 1 (usu. prec. by the) Brit. colloq. benefit claimable by the unemployed from the State. 2 a charitable distribution. b a charitable (esp. sparing, niggardly) gift of food, clothes, or money. 3 archaic one's lot or destiny.
v.tr. (usu. foll. by out) deal out sparingly. dole-bludger Austral. sl. one who allegedly prefers the dole to work. on the dole Brit. colloq. receiving State benefit for the unemployed.
[ OE dal f. Gmc ]