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