[hob.ble] vb hob.bled ; hob.bling [ME hoblen; akin to MD hobbelen to turn, roll] vi (14c): to move along unsteadily or with difficulty; esp: to limp along ~ vt 1: to cause to limp: make lame: cripple
2. [prob. alter. of hopple (to hobble)] a: to fasten together the legs of (as a horse) to prevent straying: fetter b: to place under handicap: hamper, impede -- hob.bler n
[2]hobble n (1726) 1: a hobbling movement
2. archaic: an awkward situation
3: something used to hobble an animal