v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Fumbled p. pr. & vb. n. Fumbling ] [ Akin to D. fommelen to crumple, fumble, Sw. fumla to fusuble, famla to grope, Dan. famle to grope, fumble, Icel. falme, AS. folm palm of the hand. See Feel, and cf. Fanble, Palm. ] 1. To feel or grope about; to make awkward attempts to do or find something. [ 1913 Webster ] Adams now began to fumble in his pockets. Fielding. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To grope about in perplexity; to seek awkwardly; as, to fumble for an excuse. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] My understanding flutters and my memory fumbles. Chesterfield. [ 1913 Webster ] Alas! how he fumbles about the domains. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. To handle much; to play childishly; to turn over and over. [ 1913 Webster ] I saw him fumble with the sheets, and play with flowers. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
