■ verb
1》 use the hands clumsily while doing or handling something.
↘( ~ about/around ) move about clumsily using the hands to find one's way.
↘(in ball games) fail to catch or field (the ball) cleanly.
2》 express oneself or deal with something clumsily or nervously.
■ noun an act of fumbling.
↘ informal an act of fondling someone for sexual pleasure.
Derivatives
~r noun
fumbling adjective
fumblingly adverb
Origin
ME: from Low Ger. fommeln or Du. fommelen .