I. ˈstragəl, -raig- verb
( straggled ; straggled ; straggling -g(ə)liŋ ; straggles )
Etymology: Middle English straglen, perhaps irregular from straken to move, proceed; akin to Old English streccan to stretch — more at stretch
intransitive verb
1. : to wander from the direct course or way : rove , stray ; specifically : to wander from a line of march or desert a line of battle
2. : to wander off or become separated from others of its kind : be, become, or occur as if dispersed
branches that straggle out too far
hair straggling over her collar
transitive verb
: to spread scatteringly
shabby houses were straggled along the slope
II. noun
( -s )
: a straggling body or arrangement (as of persons or objects)
a man … with a straggle of a beard — J.C.Snaith
a straggle of outbuildings
a little straggle of mourners — Elizabeth Bowen