Fum"ble (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fumbled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fumbling
(?).] [Akin to D. fommelen to crumple, fumble, Sw. fumla to fusuble,
famla to grope, Dan. famle to grope, fumble, Icel. falme, AS. folm palm
of the hand. See Feel, and cf. Fanble, Palm.] 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. Dryden.
My understanding flutters and my memory fumbles.
Chesterfield.
Alas! how he fumbles about the domains.
Wordsworth.