Main Entry: cod·dle

Pronunciation: \ˈkä-d^əl\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): cod·dled; cod·dling \ˈkäd-liŋ, ˈkä-d^əl-iŋ\

Etymology: perhaps from caudle

Date: 1598

1 : to cook (as eggs) in liquid slowly and gently just below the boiling point
2 : to treat with extreme or excessive care or kindness : pamper <accused the court of coddling criminals>

— cod·dler \ˈkäd-lər, ˈkä-d^əl-ər\ noun