Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
NOODLE
I. noun
Etymology: perhaps alteration of noddle
Date: 1753
a stupid person ; simpleton , head , noggin ,
II. noun
Etymology: German Nudel
Date: 1779
a food paste made usually with egg and shaped typically in ribbon form,
III. intransitive verb (noodled; noodling)
Etymology: imitative
Date: circa 1937
to improvise on an instrument in an informal or desultory manner