Fum"ble (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fumbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fumbling (?).] [Akin to D. fommelen to crumple, fumble, Sw. fumla to fusuble, famla to grope, Dan. famle to grope, fumble, Icel. falme, AS. folm palm of the hand. See Feel, and cf. Fanble, Palm.] 1. To feel or grope about; to make awkward attempts to do or find something.

Adams now began to fumble in his pockets.

2. To grope about in perplexity; to seek awkwardly; as, to fumble for an excuse. Dryden.

My understanding flutters and my memory fumbles.

Alas! how he fumbles about the domains.

3. To handle much; to play childishly; to turn over and over.

I saw him fumble with the sheets, and play with flowers.

Fum"ble, v. t. To handle or manage awkwardly; to crowd or tumble together. Shak.

• To idly touch or nervously handle
       
• Waiting for the interview, he fumbled with his tie
  
• To grope awkwardly in trying to find something
       
• He fumbled for his keys
  
• To blunder uncertainly
       
• He fumbled through his prepared speech
  
• (sports) To drop a ball or a baton etc
  
• To idly touch or nervously handle something
       
• He fumbled the key into the lock
  
• To feel (one's way)
       
• He fumbled his way to the light-switch
  
• (sport) To drop (a ball)
  
• (sport) A ball etc. that has been dropped