Dabble (dăbb'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dabbled (dăbb'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Dabbling (dăbbl&ibreve_;ng).] [Freq. of dab: cf. OD. dabbelen.] To wet by little dips or strokes; to spatter; to sprinkle; to moisten; to wet. “Bright hair dabbled in blood.” Shak.[1913 Webster]
Dabble, v. i. 1. To play in water, as with the hands; to paddle or splash in mud or water.[1913 Webster]
Where the duck dabbles 'mid the rustling sedge.
2. To work in slight or superficial manner; to do in a small way; to tamper; to meddle. “Dabbling here and there with the text.” Atterbury.[1913 Webster]
During the first year at Dumfries, Burns for the first time began to dabble in politics.