■ verb
1》 fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong.
↘perform acrobatic feats, typically handsprings and somersaults.
2》 decrease rapidly in amount or value.
3》 dry in a ~ dryer.
4》 rumple; disarrange.
5》 ( ~ to ) informal come to understand; realize: he's ~d to the fact that he was deceived.
6》 informal have sex with.
7》 clean (castings, gemstones, etc.) in a tumbling barrel.
■ noun
1》 an instance of tumbling.
2》 an untidy or confused arrangement or state.
3》 a handspring or other acrobatic feat.
4》 US informal a friendly sign of recognition or interest.
Origin
ME (also in the sense 'dance with contortions'): from Mid. Low Ger. tummelen ; cf. OE tumbian 'to dance'; prob. influenced by OFr. tomber 'to fall'.