Pad"dle (?), v. i. [Prob. for
pattle, and a dim. of pat, v.; cf. also E. pad to
tread, Prov. G. paddeln, padden, to walk with short
steps, to paddle, G. patschen to splash, dash, dabble, F.
patouiller to dabble, splash, fr. patte a paw.
√21.] 1. To use the hands or fingers in
toying; to make caressing strokes. [Obs.] Shak.
2. To dabble in water with hands or feet; to
use a paddle, or something which serves as a paddle, in swimming, in
paddling a boat, etc.
As the men were paddling for their
lives.
L'Estrange.
While paddling ducks the standing lake
desire.
Gay.
Pad"dle, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Paddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Paddling (?)] 1. To pat or stroke
amorously, or gently.
To be paddling palms and pinching
fingers.
Shak.
2. To propel with, or as with, a paddle or
paddles.
3. To pad; to tread upon; to trample.
[Prov. Eng.]
Pad"dle, n. [See Paddle,
v. i.] 1. An implement with a
broad blade, which is used without a fixed fulcrum in propelling and
steering canoes and boats.
2. The broad part of a paddle, with which the
stroke is made; hence, any short, broad blade, resembling that of a
paddle.
Thou shalt have a paddle upon thy
weapon.
Deut. xxiii. 13.
3. One of the broad boards, or floats, at the
circumference of a water wheel, or paddle wheel.
4. A small gate in sluices or lock gates to
admit or let off water; -- also called clough.
5. (Zoöl.) A paddle-shaped foot,
as of the sea turtle.
6. A paddle-shaped implement for stirring or
mixing.
7. [In this sense prob. for older spaddle,
a dim. of spade.] See Paddle staff (b),
below. [Prov. Eng.]
Paddle beam (Shipbuilding), one of two
large timbers supporting the spring beam and paddle box of a steam
vessel. -- Paddle board. See Paddle,
n., 3. -- Paddle box, the
structure inclosing the upper part of the paddle wheel of a steam
vessel. -- Paddle shaft, the revolving
shaft which carries the paddle wheel of a steam vessel. --
Paddle staff. (a) A staff tipped
with a broad blade, used by mole catchers. [Prov. Eng.]
(b) A long-handled spade used to clean a
plowshare; -- called also plow staff. [Prov. Eng.] --
Paddle steamer, a steam vessel propelled by
paddle wheels, in distinction from a screw propeller. --
Paddle wheel, the propelling wheel of a steam
vessel, having paddles (or floats) on its circumference, and revolving
in a vertical plane parallel to the vessel's length.
