/ ˈtɒtə(r); NAmE ˈtɑːt-/ verb [ v ]
1.
[usually + adv. / prep. ] to walk or move with weak unsteady steps, especially because you are drunk or ill / sick
SYN stagger
2.
to be weak and seem likely to fall :
the tottering walls of the castle
( figurative )
a tottering dictatorship
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Middle Dutch touteren to swing (the original sense in English ).