I. ˈhä-bəl verb
( hob·bled ; hob·bling -b(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: Middle English hoblen; akin to Middle Dutch hobbelen to turn, roll
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
: to move along unsteadily or with difficulty ; especially : to limp along
transitive verb
1. : to cause to limp : make lame : cripple
2.
[probably alteration 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 -b(ə-)lər noun
II. noun
Date: 1726
1. : a hobbling movement
2. archaic : an awkward situation
3. : something used to hobble an animal