foozle

[ foo-zuhl ]

verb (used with or without object)

, foo·zled, foo·zling.

1. to bungle; play clumsily:

   to foozle a stroke in golf;

   to foozle on the last hole.

noun

1. act of foozling, especially a bad stroke in golf.

foozle

/ ˈfuːzəl /

verb

1. to bungle (a shot)

noun

1. a bungled shot

Derived Forms

• ˈfoozler, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of foozle¹

First recorded in 1825–35; perhaps from dialectal German fuseln “to work badly, clumsily, hurriedly”

Word History and Origins

Origin of foozle¹

C19: perhaps from German dialect fuseln to do slipshod work

Example Sentences

Because I thought you were such a respectable, harmless old foozle that you'd never do anything to deserve it.

From Project Gutenberg

If I tried a trick out of turn, I might foozle and lose prestige.

From Project Gutenberg

Xuriel apparently did know his job, for the King's ball continued to be as foozle-proof as the Marshal's mashie.

From Project Gutenberg

He was a slow, putterin' kind of an ole foozle, but on the hull a putty decent citizen.

From Project Gutenberg

The newspapers would denounce me as a treacherous liar—you fellows own or control or foozle them in one way and another.

From Project Gutenberg