DABBLE

verb (~d; dabbling) Etymology: perhaps frequentative of 2dab Date: 1557 transitive verb to wet by splashing or by little dips or strokes ; spatter , intransitive verb 1. to paddle, splash, or play in or as if in water, to reach with the bill to the bottom of shallow water in order to obtain food, to work or involve oneself superficially or intermittently especially in a secondary activity or interest