I. ˈbəngəl verb
( bungled ; bungled ; bungling -g(ə)liŋ ; bungles )
Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish dialect bangla to work ineffectually, Icelandic banga to hammer — more at bang
intransitive verb
: to act or work in a clumsy and awkward manner
officials said and did stupid things and inexperience led to bungling — Saturday Review
transitive verb
: to do, make, perform, or handle clumsily or badly : mishandle , botch
the job of cleaning up the slums was bungled badly by incompetent and venal administrators
II. noun
( -s )
: a clumsy or inadequate performance : botch , blunder
a bureaucratic bungle