I. ˈtiŋ-kər noun
Etymology: Middle English tinkere
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a usually itinerant mender of household utensils
b. : an unskillful mender : bungler
2. chiefly Irish : gypsy
II. verb
( tin·kered ; tin·ker·ing -k(ə-)riŋ)
Date: 1592
intransitive verb
: to work in the manner of a tinker ; especially : to repair, adjust, or work with something in an unskilled or experimental manner : fiddle
always tinker ing with his car
transitive verb
: to repair, adjust, or experiment with
• tin·ker·er -kər-ər noun