I. ˈbəm-bəl intransitive verb
( bum·bled ; bum·bling -b(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: Middle English bomblen to boom, of imitative origin
Date: 15th century
1. : buzz
2. : drone , rumble
II. verb
( bumbled ; bumbling )
Etymology: perhaps alteration of bungle
Date: 1532
intransitive verb
1. : blunder ; specifically : to speak ineptly in a stuttering and faltering manner
2. : to proceed unsteadily : stumble
transitive verb
: bungle
• bum·bler -b(ə-)lər noun
• bum·bling·ly -b(ə-)liŋ-lē adverb