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. √21. ] 1. To use the hands or fingers in toying; to make caressing strokes. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

As the men were paddling for their lives. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

While paddling ducks the standing lake desire. Gay. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Paddled p. pr. & vb. n. Paddling 1. To pat or stroke amorously, or gently. [ Obsolescent ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To be paddling palms and pinching fingers. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To propel with, or as with, a paddle or paddles. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To pad; to tread upon; to trample. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To spank with a paddle or as if with a paddle; -- usually as a disciplinary punishment of children. [ PJC ]

5. To mix (a viscous liquid) by stirring or beating with a paddle. [ PJC ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The broad part of a paddle, with which the stroke is made; hence, any short, broad blade, resembling that of a paddle, such as that used in table tennis. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon. Deut. xxiii. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One of the broad boards, or floats, at the circumference of a water wheel, or paddle wheel. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A small gate in sluices or lock gates to admit or let off water; -- also called clough. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Zool.) A paddle-shaped foot, as of the sea turtle. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A paddle-shaped implement for stirring or mixing. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. [ In this sense prob. for older spaddle, a dim. of spade. ] See Paddle staff (b), below. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a wooden covering for the upper part of the paddle wheel of a steam vessel. [ 1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5 ]

n. (Zool.) The lumpfish. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool) A large ganoid fish (Polyodon spathula) found in the rivers of the Mississippi Valley. It has a long spatula-shaped snout. Called also duck-billed cat, and spoonbill sturgeon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, paddles. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) The light elastic wood of the Aspidosperma excelsum, a tree of Guiana having a fluted trunk readily split into planks. [ 1913 Webster ]