Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PAD'DLE, v.i. [The French patrouiller signifies to paw, to paddle, and hence the English patrol. This word seems to be from patte, a paw, allied perhaps to L. pes, pedis, the foot, and this is allied to the Gr. πατεω, to tread. To paddle, then, is to use the paw. But perhaps it is from the noun, – which see.]

1. To row; to beat the water, as with oars. – Gay.
2. To play in the water with the hands, as children; or with the feet, as fowls or other animals.
3. To finger. – Shak.