ˈdəmpliŋ, -lēŋ noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: perhaps alteration of lump (I) + -ling
1.
a. : a small mass of leavened dough cooked by boiling or steaming (as with soup, stew, or fruit with which it is to be served)
b. : a dessert made by wrapping fruit (as a whole apple) in biscuit dough and baking
2. : something that has a somewhat rounded shapelessness like a dumpling
a large, evenly terraced red mass, topped by a dumpling of buff sandstone, rises above symmetrical outlying buttes — American Guide Series: Arizona
specifically : a short fat person or animal
3. : appleberry — usually used in plural
4. : something precious : darling — used as a term of endearment
a new doll for your dumpling daughter — Wall Street Journal