DABBLE

dabble

(verb) bob forward and under so as to feed off the bottom of a body of water; “dabbling ducks”

dabble

(verb) dip a foot or hand briefly into a liquid

dabble, smatter, play around

(verb) work with in an amateurish manner; “She dabbles in astronomy”; “He plays around with investments but he never makes any money”

dabble, paddle, splash around

(verb) play in or as if in water, as of small children

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

dabble (third-person singular simple present dabbles, present participle dabbling, simple past and past participle dabbled)

(transitive) To make slightly wet or soiled by spattering or sprinkling a liquid (such as water, mud, or paint) on it; to bedabble. [from late 16th c.]

(transitive) To cause splashing by moving a body part like a bill or limb in soft mud, water, etc, often playfully; to play in shallow water; to paddle.

(intransitive, figuratively) To participate or have an interest in an activity in a casual or superficial way.

(intransitive, obsolete) To interfere or meddle in; to tamper with.

Synonyms

• (to make slightly wet or soiled): bespatter, besprinkle, spatter

Noun

dabble (plural dabbles)

A spattering or sprinkling of a liquid.

An act of splashing in soft mud, water, etc.

An act of participation in an activity in a casual or superficial way.

Source: Wiktionary

Dab"ble, v. t. [imp.&p.p Dabbled; p.pr.&vb.n. Dabbling.] Etym: [Freq. of dab: cf. OD. dabbelen.]

Definition: To wet by little dips or strokes; to spatter; to sprinkle; to moisten; to wet. "Bright hair dabbled in blood." Shak.

Dab"ble, v. i.

1. To play in water, as with the hands; to paddle or splash in mud or water. Wher the duck dabbles Wordsworth.

2. To work in slight or superficial manner; to do in a small way; to tamper; to meddle. "Dabbling here and there with the text." Atterbury. During the ferst year at Dumfries, Burns for the ferst time began to dabble in politics. J. C. Shairp.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition