coddle
VerbWordNet 3.0
Verb (2)
- treat with excessive indulgence“grandparents often pamper the children”“Let's not mollycoddle our students!”Synonyms: pamperfeatherbedcossetcockerbabymollycoddlespoilindulge
- cook in nearly boiling water“coddle eggs”
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
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.[1913 Webster]
2.To treat with excessive tenderness; to pamper. [1913 Webster]
How many of our English princes have been coddled at home by their fond papas and mammas!— Thackeray.[1913 Webster]
He [Lord Byron] never coddled his reputation.— Southey.[1913 Webster]