[f. FUMBLE v. + -ING1.] The action of the vb. FUMBLE.

1

1562.  J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 217. This man in his breech feelyng such fumblyng.

2

1601.  J. Weever, The Mirror of Martyrs, C ij.

        Now are we dwarfs, they [our issue] will be pismires then,
This is the fumbling of our aged men.

3

1645.  Milton, Colast., Wks. (1851), 351. Your second Argument, without more tedious fumbling is briefly thus.

4

1762.  Stevenson, Crazy Tales, 49. There’s a disorder we call Fumbling, Amongst the men call’d Fighting shy.

5

1875.  Kinglake, Crimea (1877), V. i. 366. That impotent fumbling after carbines or pistols.

6

1893.  Jessopp, Stud. by Recluse, Pref. (1893), 15. I do not call these stray papers Essays, but mere Studies—fumblings if you will.

7