Category:Coddle

Cod"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coddled; p. pr. & vb. n. Coddling.] Etym: [Cf. Prov. E. caddle to coax, spoil, fondle, and Cade, a. & v. t.] [Written also codle.]

1. To parboil, or soften by boiling. It [the guava fruit] may be coddled. Dampier.

2. To treat with excessive tenderness; to pamper. How many of our English princes have been coddled at home by their fond papas and mammas! Thackeray. He [Lord Byron] never coddled his reputation. Southey.