mamble, v. Obs. exc. dial.
(ˈmæmb(ə)l)
Also 3–4 mamel.
[ME. mamelen, possibly repr. an OE. *mamelian = OHG. mammalôn to stammer, mutter, mod. Ger. dial. memmeln to mutter, also to chew slowly; an onomatopœic formation with frequentative suffix -le: cf. mammer, mumble vbs.]
1. intr. To mumble or mutter; to chatter.
| c 1275 Prov. Alfred 492 in O. E. Misc. 132 Þanne mud mamelit more þanne hit solde. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. v. 21 Of þis matere I myȝte mamely ful longe. Ibid. xi. 408 Adam..when he mameled aboute mete and entermeted to knowe Þe wisdom and þe witte of god he was put fram blisse. |
2. To eat lazily.
| a 1825 Forby Voc. E. Anglia, Mamble v., to eat with seeming indifference, as if from want of appetite. |