Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FUM'BLE, v.i. [D. fommelen; Dan. famler; Sw. famla, properly, to stop, stammer, falter, hesitate, to feel along, to grope.]

1. To feel or grope about; to attempt awkwardly. Cudworth.
2. To grope about in perplexity; to seek awkwardly; as, to fumble for an excuse. Dryden.
3. To handle much; to play childishly; to turn over and over. I saw him fumble with the sheets, and play with flowers. Shak.