[fum.ble] vb fum.bled ; fum.bling [prob. of Scand origin; akin to Sw fumla to fumble] vi (1534) 1 a: to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly b: to make awkward attempts to do or find something "fumbled in his pocket for a coin" c: to search by trial and error d: blunder
2: to feel one's way or move awkwardly 3 a: to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder b: to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it ~ vt 1: to bring about by clumsy manipulation
2. a: to feel or handle clumsily b: to deal with in a blundering way: bungle
3: to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner
4. a: misplay "~ a grounder" b: to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running -- fum.bler n -- fum.bling.ly adv
[2]fumble n (1634) 1: an act or instance of fumbling
2: a fumbled ball