Obs. Also 4–6 bomble. [f. BOOM v.1, BUM v.2 + frequentative suffix -LE.]

1

  1.  intr. To boom, as a bittern; to buzz, as a fly.

2

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Wife’s T., 116. As a Bitore bombleth in the Myre [v.r. bumbith, bumliþ].

3

1556–1693.  [see BUMBLING vbl. sb.].

4

1868.  Atkinson, Cleveland Gloss., 78. Bumble, to hum or buzz.

5

  2.  trans. To grumble at, blame, take to task.

6

1675.  T. Duffett, Mock Tempest, III. i. Be bumbled, and jumbl’d, and grumbl’d at.

7

1781.  Cowper, Corr. (1824), I. 201. I shall not bumble Johnson for finding fault with friendship.

8