{ } n. [ Written also hobbetyhoy, hobbarddehoy, hobbedehoy, hobdehoy. ] [ Cf. Prob. E. hobbledygee with a limping movement; also F. hobereau, a country squire, E. hobby, and OF. hoi to-day; perh. the orig. sense was, an upstart of to-day. ] A youth between boy and man; an awkward, gawky young fellow . [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

All the men, boys, and hobbledehoys attached to the farm. Dickens. . [ 1913 Webster ]