The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Coddle \Cod"dle\ (k[o^]d"d'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Coddled
   (-d'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Coddling (-dl[i^]ng).] [Cf.
   Prov. E. caddle to coax, spoil, fondle, and Cade, a. & v.
   t.] [Written also codle.]
   1. To parboil, or soften by boiling.
      [1913 Webster]

            It [the guava fruit] may be coddled.  --Dampier.
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   2. To treat with excessive tenderness; to pamper.
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            How many of our English princes have been coddled at
            home by their fond papas and mammas!  --Thackeray.
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            He [Lord Byron] never coddled his reputation.
                                                  --Southey.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

coddle
    v 1: treat with excessive indulgence; "grandparents often pamper
         the children"; "Let's not mollycoddle our students!" [syn:
         pamper, featherbed, cosset, cocker, baby,
         coddle, mollycoddle, spoil, indulge]
    2: cook in nearly boiling water; "coddle eggs"