[pad.dle] vi pad.dled ; pad.dling [origin unknown] (1530) 1: to move the hands or feet about in shallow water
2. archaic: to use the hands or fingers in toying or caressing
3: toddle -- pad.dler n
[2]paddle n [ME padell spade-shaped tool for cleaning a plow] (1624) 1 a: a usu. wooden implement that has a long handle and a broad flattened blade and that is used to propel and steer a small craft (as a canoe) b: an implement often with a short handle and a broad flat blade that is used for stirring, mixing, or hitting; esp: one used to hit a ball in any of various games (as table tennis)
2. a: any of the broad boards at the circumference of a paddle wheel or waterwheel b: any of the broad blades attached to a shaft (as in an ice cream machine) and used for stirring
3: a computer input device with a dial used to control linear movement of a cursor on a computer display [3]paddle vb pad.dled ; pad.dling vi (1677): to go on or through water by or as if by means of a paddle or paddle wheel ~ vt 1 a: to propel by a paddle b: to transport in a paddled craft "paddled us to shore in his canoe"
2. a: to beat or stir with or as if with a paddle (as in washing or dyeing) b: to punish by or as if by beating with a paddle -- pad.dler n