Fumble \Fum"ble\, v. t. To handle or manage awkwardly; to crowd or tumble together. --Shak.
Fumble \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. --Fielding.
2. To grope about in perplexity; to seek awkwardly; as, to fumble for an excuse. --Dryden.
My understanding flutters and my memory fumbles. --Chesterfield.
Alas! how he fumbles about the domains. --Wordsworth.
3. To handle much; to play childishly; to turn over and over.
I saw him fumble with the sheets, and play with flowers. --Shak.
But my hands tremble as I fumble with the vial and a coke spoon disguised as a key.