v. & n.
v. 1 intr. a walk lamely; limp. b proceed haltingly in action or speech (hobbled lamely to his conclusion). 2 tr. a tie together the legs of (a horse etc.) to prevent it from straying. b tie (a horse's etc. legs). 3 tr. cause (a person etc.) to limp.
n. 1 an uneven or infirm gait. 2 a rope, clog, etc. used for hobbling a horse etc. hobble skirt a skirt so narrow at the hem as to impede walking. hobbler n.
[ ME, prob. f. LG: cf. HOPPLE and Du. hobbelen rock from side to side ]