/swod"l/ , v. , swaddled, swaddling , n.
v.t.
1. to bind (an infant, esp. a newborn infant) with long, narrow strips of cloth to prevent free movement; wrap tightly with clothes.
2. to wrap (anything) round with bandages.
n.
3. a long, narrow strip of cloth used for swaddling or bandaging.
[ 1375-1425; late ME, in suadiling (ger.); akin by gradation to ME swethel (n.), OE; see SWATHE, -LE ]