Main Entry: ¹hob·ble

Pronunciation: \ˈhä-bəl\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): hob·bled; hob·bling \-b(ə-)liŋ\

Etymology: Middle English hoblen; akin to Middle Dutch hobbelen to turn, roll

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb : to move along unsteadily or with difficulty; especially : to limp alongtransitive verb 1 : to cause to limp : make lame : cripple
2 [probably alteration of hopple to hobble] a : to fasten together the legs of (as a horse) to prevent straying : fetter b : to place under handicap : hamper, impede

— hob·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun