— doter , n.
/doht/ , v. , doted, doting , n.
v.i. Also, doat .
1. to bestow or express excessive love or fondness habitually (usually fol. by on or upon ): They dote on their youngest daughter.
2. to show a decline of mental faculties, esp. associated with old age.
n.
3. decay of wood.
[ 1175-1225; ME doten to behave foolishly, become feeble-minded; c. MD doten. ]