Fumble

v. i. [imp. & p. p. FUMBLED; p. pr. & vb. n. FUMBLING.] [Prov. Eng. fimble, to fumble, to do imperfectly, O. Eng. fumbles, hands, L. Ger. fummeln, fom-meln, to touch, grope, D. fom-melen, to crumple, Sw. fumla, famla, Dan. famle, to grope about.]

1Sense 1. To feel or grope about; to make awkward attempts. Cudworth.

2Sense 2. To grope about in perplexity; to seek awkwardly; as, to fumble for an excuse. Dryden.

3Sense 3. To handle much; to play childishly; to turn over and over.

I saw him fumble with the sheets, and play with flowers. Shak.