Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
FUMBLE
I. verb (fumbled; fumbling)
Etymology: probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish fumla to fumble
Date: 1534
intransitive verb
1. to grope for or handle something clumsily or aimlessly, to make awkward attempts to do or find something , to search by trial and error, blunder , to feel one's way or move awkwardly,
3. to drop or juggle or fail to play cleanly a grounder, to lose hold of a football while handling or running with it, transitive verb to bring about by clumsy manipulation,
2. to feel or handle clumsily, to deal with in a blundering way ; bungle , to make (one's way) in a clumsy manner,
4. misplay , to lose hold of (a football) while handling or running, fumbler noun fumblingly adverb
II. noun
Date: 1634
an act or instance of fumbling, a fumbled ball