footle, v. slang.
(ˈfuːt(ə)l)
[Of obscure origin: Cf. footer n.2]
intr. To talk or act foolishly, to trifle or ‘potter’. Hence ˈfootle n., twaddle, ‘rot’. ˈfootle a., paltry, trifling.
| 1892 F. Anstey Voces Populi Ser. ii. 111 Now, really, Settee, do try not to footle like this! 1894 Du Maurier Trilby I. 163 His palette in one hand, and his twiddling little footle pig's-hair brush in the other. 1895 F. Anstey Lyre & Lancet x. 106 I'm no good at poetry..It does seem to me such—well, such footle. |