verb (dabbled; dabbling)
Etymology: perhaps frequentative of 2dab
Date: 1557
transitive verb to wet by splashing or by little dips or strokes ; spatter , intransitive verb
1. to paddle, splash, or play in or as if in water, to reach with the bill to the bottom of shallow water in order to obtain food, to work or involve oneself superficially or intermittently especially in a secondary activity or interest