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 verb1: to cause to limp : make lame : cripple2 [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