▪ I. toddle, n.
(ˈtɒd(ə)l)
[f. toddle v.]
1. An act or the action of toddling, as of a child or infirm person; transf. a leisurely walk, a stroll.
| 1825 C. M. Westmacott Eng. Spy I. 32 After a toddle [mispr. toodle] of 3 miles. 1837–48 B. D. Walsh Aristoph., Knights i. iii, Now falling and now on the toddle. 1871 Blackmore Maid of Sker v, The little thing..set off in the bravest toddle for the very bow of the boat. 1891 S. J. Duncan Soc. Departure 123 Her toddle was worth many strides of the female suffragist. |
2. (Also toddles.) A toddling child.
| 1825 Jamieson, Toddle, a designation given to a child, or to a neat person of a small size. Angus. 1828 Craven Gloss. Toddles, an endearing appellation of a child when just beginning to walk. 1854 Thackeray Wolves & Lamb 1, I have two girls—Amelia, quite a little toddles [etc.]. 1882 Society 18 Nov. 23/1 A..little pelisse..for a toddle of two-and-a-half. |
Hence ˈtoddlekins, ˈtoddleskin = sense 2.
| 1852 C. J. Mathews (title) Little Toddlekins. 1879 Sala Paris herself again (1880) I. xvii. 287 There were many little manikins and toddlekins. 1890 Century Mag. Aug. 511/2 To return perhaps with a toddleskin or two born at sea. 1904 Daily Record & Mail 1 Jan. 4 The plump and laughing little toddlekins who can be seen in every home suburban street. |
▪ II. toddle, v.
(ˈtɒd(ə)l)
Forms: 6–9 todle, (9 taddle), 8– toddle.
[Originally todle, Scotch and northern Eng.; origin obscure. Not orig. connected with tottle; synonymous with doddle. (It is doubtful whether sense 1 belongs here.)]
† 1. intr. To play or toy with. Obs. rare—1.
| 1500–20 Dunbar Poems xxxii. 11 He..todlit with hir lyk ane quhelp. |
2. To walk or run with short unsteady steps, as a child just beginning to walk, an aged or invalid person; also said of a similar walk or run of any animal.
| c 1600 Burel's Pilgr. in Watson Coll. Sc. Poems (1709) ii. 22 [The mole] Quhiles dodling, and todling, Vpon fowr prettie feit. 17.. Allison Gross x. in Child Ballads (1884) ii. 315/1 She's turnd me into an ugly worm, And gard me toddle about the tree. 1783 Johnson 29 May in Boswell, I should like to come and have a cottage in your park, toddle about, live mostly on milk, and be taken care of by Mrs. Boswell. 1785 Burns Halloween v, The vera wee things, todlin, rin Wi' stocks out owre their shouther. 1804 C. Smith Conversations, etc. I. 23 It would be curious..if I was to be tied to my mother's apron string, and taddle about so. 1840 Thackeray Catherine vii, When his strength enabled him to toddle abroad. 1859 Holland Gold F. xxiii, The first little lambs of the season toddle by the side of their dams. 1879 H. George Progr. & Pov. ix. iv. (1881) 412 The child just beginning to toddle or to talk will make new efforts. |
b. Hence, To walk or move with short easy steps; to go leisurely, to saunter, stroll; by playful or familiar meiosis, simply = walk, go.
| 1724 Ramsay Tea-t. Misc. (1733) II. 167 Could na my love come todlen hame. 1803 R. Anderson Cumberld. Ball. 59 Now, wi' twee groats and tuppence, I'll e'en toddle heame. 1812 J. H. Vaux Flash Dict. s.v., Come, let us toddle, is a familiar phrase, signifying, let us be going. 1825 Brockett N.C. Words, Todle or Toddle, to walk, to saunter about. 1848 Thackeray Bk. Snobs xlviii, We toddled into the Park for an hour. 1882 G. J. Romanes Anim. Intell. xii. 359 It [the hare or rabbit] merely toddles along with the weasel toddling behind, until tamely allowing itself to be overtaken. |
c. fig. Said of the hurried flow of a shallow stream (compared to the running of a child).
| a 1774 Fergusson Elegy Death Scots Music x, Cou'd..todling burns that smoothly play O'er gowden bed, Compare wi' Birks of Indermay? 1838 J. Struthers Poet. Tales 78 (E.D.D.) Owre hagg or hill, Whar Irvine todlin rins alang, A wee bit rill. |
d. trans. To cause to toddle. rare.
| 1791 F. Burney Diary 4 June, Catching me fast by the arm..she safely toddled me back. |
¶ 3. intr. To bubble gently in boiling. Sc. (Improperly for tottle.)
| 1797 A. Douglas N. Yr.'s Wish Poems (1806) 67 A junt o' beef, baith fat and fresh, Aft in your pat be todlin! |
Hence ˈtoddling vbl. n. and ppl. a.
| a 1774 [see 2 c]. 1861 Star & Dial 4 Nov., The poor little child, the toddling innocent. 1905 Sir F. Treves Other Side of Lantern ii. ix. (1906) 83 A toddling princess who was the joy of her father's life. Mod. Tired of toddling. |