Fum·ble v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fumbled p. pr. & vb. n. Fumbling ]
  1. To feel or grope about; to make awkward attempts to do or find something.
     Adams now began to fumble in his pockets.   --Fielding.
  2. To grope about in perplexity; to seek awkwardly; as, to fumble for an excuse.
     My understanding flutters and my memory fumbles.   --Chesterfield.
     Alas! how he fumbles about the domains.   --Wordsworth.
  3. To handle much; to play childishly; to turn over and over.
     I saw him fumble with the sheets, and play with flowers.   --Shak.
  fumbling
       adj : showing lack of skill or aptitude; "a bungling workman";
             "did a clumsy job"; "his fumbling attempt to put up a
             shelf" [syn: bungling, clumsy, incompetent]