I. ˈmə-d ə l verb
( mud·dled ; mud·dling ˈməd-liŋ, ˈmə-d ə l-iŋ)
Etymology: probably from obsolete Dutch moddelen, from Middle Dutch, from modde mud; akin to Middle Low German mudde
Date: 1676
transitive verb
1. : to make turbid or muddy
2. : to befog or stupefy especially with liquor
3. : to mix confusedly
4. : to make a mess of : bungle
intransitive verb
: to think or act in a confused aimless way
• mud·dler ˈməd-lər, ˈmə-d ə l-ər noun
II. noun
Date: circa 1818
1. : a state of especially mental confusion
2. : a confused mess
• mud·dly ˈməd-lē, ˈmə-d ə l-ē adjective