Pad"dle (?), v. i. [Prob. for pattle, and a dim. of pat, v.; cf. also E. pad to tread, Prov. G. paddeln, padden, to walk with short steps, to paddle, G. patschen to splash, dash, dabble, F. patouiller to dabble, splash, fr. patte a paw. .]
1.
To use the hands or fingers in toying; to make caressing strokes.
[Obs.]
Shak.
2.
To dabble in water with hands or feet; to use a paddle, or something which serves as a paddle, in swimming, in paddling a boat, etc.
As the men were paddling for their lives.
L'Estrange.
While paddling ducks the standing lake desire.
Gay.
© Webster 1913.
Pad"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paddled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Paddling (?)]
1.
To pat or stroke amorously, or gently.
To be paddling palms and pinching fingers.
Shak.
2.
To propel with, or as with, a paddle or paddles.
3.
To pad; to tread upon; to trample.
[Prov. Eng.]
© Webster 1913.
Pad"dle, n. [See Paddle, v. i.]
1.
An implement with a broad blade, which is used without a fixed fulcrum in propelling and steering canoes and boats.
2.
The broad part of a paddle, with which the stroke is made; hence, any short, broad blade, resembling that of a paddle.
Thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon.
Deut. xxiii. 13.
3.
One of the broad boards, or floats, at the circumference of a water wheel, or paddle wheel.
4.
A small gate in sluices or lock gates to admit or let off water; -- also called clough.
5. Zool.
A paddle-shaped foot, as of the sea turtle.
6.
A paddle-shaped implement for string or mixing.
7. [In this sense prob. for older spaddle, a dim. of spade.]
See Paddle staff (b), below.
[Prov. Eng.]
Paddle beam Shipbuilding, one of two large timbers supporting the spring beam and paddle box of a steam vessel. -- Paddle board. See Paddle, n., 3. -- Paddle box, the structure inclosing the upper part of the paddle wheel of a steam vessel. -- Paddle shaft, the revolving shaft which carries the paddle wheel of a steam vessel. -- Paddle staff. (a) A staff tipped with a broad blade, used by mole catchers. [Prov. Eng.] (b) A long-handled spade used to clean a plowshare; -- called also plow staff. [Prov. Eng.] -- Paddle steamer, a steam vessel propelled by paddle wheels, in distinction from a screw propeller. -- Paddle wheel, the propelling wheel of a steam vessel, having paddles (or floats) on its circumference, and revolving in a vertical plane parallel to the vessel's length.
© Webster 1913.