v.tr. 1 unintentionally distort or confuse (facts, messages, etc.). 2 a mutilate in order to misrepresent. b make (usu. unfair or malicious) selections from (facts, statements, etc.). garbler n.
[ It. garbellare f. Arab. garbala sift, perh. f. LL cribellare to sieve f. L cribrum sieve ]