— dabbler , n. — dabblingly , adv.
/dab"euhl/ , v. , dabbled, dabbling .
v.i.
1. to play and splash in or as if in water, esp. with the hands.
2. to work at anything in an irregular or superficial manner: to dabble in literature.
3. (of a duck) to feed on shallow-water vegetation with rapid, splashing movements of the bill.
v.t.
4. to wet slightly in or with a liquid; splash; spatter.
5. Chiefly South Midland U.S. to wash or rinse off lightly.
[ 1550-60; prob. DAB 1 + -LE; cf. D dabbelen, dabben ]
Syn. 2. putter, fiddle, toy, dally.