bumble

plural bumbles

1. A confusion; a jumble.

present singular third person bumbles · participle present bumbling · participle past bumbled · past bumbled

1. intransitiveTo act or move in an awkward or confused manner (often clumsily, incompetently, or carelessly).First known use 1530s

   Spiders build webs and wait for insects to bumble into them.

2. transitiveTo carry out (a task) clumsily, incompetently, or with many careless mistakes; to bungle, to botch.First known use ca. 1719?

present singular third person bumbles · participle present bumbling · participle past bumbled · past bumbled

1. intransitiveTo boom, as a Eurasian bittern.First known use ca. 1405
2. intransitiveTo buzz or bum.First known use 1689
3. intransitivefrequently with onTo speak in a rambling, incoherent, or indistinct manner, especially at tedious length.First known use 1911
4. obsoletetransitiveTo grumble at; to blame.First known use 1675–1781

plural bumbles

1. A bumblebee.First known use 1599
2. IrelandUKdialectalA Eurasian bittern.First known use 1813