waddle

What it means

1. A squat, swaying gait.

   the waddle of a duck

2. A group of birds, such as ducks and penguins, when walking.

   A waddle of ducks and ducklings appeared around her feet.

   2024, micheal dubh, The Girl who Rode the Unihorn: Of love and climate devastation, Seanchaidh, page 333

   2 more examples

   Mr. Lillis imported a waddle of penguins who lined up at the clubhouse gate in their snappy thermal attire and were the first clients admitted.

   1963, Red Smith, The Best of Red Smith, F. Watts, page 111

   You can see the dolphin show, the miracles of Stellar's sea lions and the cute waddle of penguins under the glittering illumination of the indoor swimming pool.

   2008, Hyeongak Kim, Visual Atlas of Korea: 2008 Map & Guide, Kyohaksa, page 225

In a sentence

the waddle of a duck

Where it comes from

1. Middle Englishwadelen
2. Englishwaddle

From Middle English wadelen, frequentative form of waden, equivalent to wade + -le. Compare Saterland Frisian wuttelje (“to waddle”), Old High German wadalōn (“to roam; wander”), Middle High German wadelen, wedelen (“to wander; rove”), German wedeln (“to waggle”). First known use in English in a version of the Song of Roland around the year 1400.