Also 6 fumblar, Sc. fumler. [f. FUMBLE v. + -ER1.] One who fumbles, in senses of the vb. Cake fumbler: see CAKE sb. 9.
1519. Horman, Vulg., 31. No man shulde rebuke … a stuttar or fumblar.
c. 1800. K. White, Rem., II. 49. The work of, Sir, your humble Servant (Who, though I say’t, am no such fumbler).
1826. J. Wilson, Noct. Ambr., Wks. 1855, I. 92. I must not let down the character of the work to flatter a few feckless fumblers.
1879. Geo. Eliot, Theo. Such, viii. 145. He [a man] may be a mere fumbler in physiology and yet show a keen insight into human motives.
b. slang. (See quot. a. 1700.)
1640. Brome, Sparagus Garden, II. ii. What stay we for, can you tell fumbler?
1679. Oldham, Sat. Woman, 129, Wks. (1698), I. 147.
| May the old Fumbler, though disabled quite, | |
| Have strength to give her Claps, but no Delight. |
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Fumbler, an unperforming Husband, one that is insufficient.
1719. D’Urfey, Pills, V. 349.
| Sow grumblers, Wench Fumblers give ear ev’ry Man: | |
| Mobb’d Sinners in Pinners, kept Foppers, Bench-hoppers, | |
| High-Flyers, Pit-Plyers be still if you can: | |
| You’re all in Damnation, you’re all in Damnation for Leading the Van. |
1748. Smollett, Rod. Rand., xi. (1804), 56. In the mean-time give me a kiss, you old fumbler.
1818. Southey, Lett. (1856), III. 90. A married couple, who have had no children, after a certain number of years, are compelled by their neighbours to give what we call a Fumbler’s Feast.
