dibble

[ dib-uh l ]
/ ˈdɪb əl /

noun

Also dib·ber [dib-er] /ˈdɪb ər/. a small, handheld, pointed implement for making holes in soil for planting seedlings, bulbs, etc.

verb (used with object), dib·bled, dib·bling.

to make a hole (in the ground) with or as if with a dibble.
to set (plants) in holes made with a dibble.

verb (used without object), dib·bled, dib·bling.

to work with a dibble.

Origin of dibble

1325–75; late Middle English, perhaps akin to dib

OTHER WORDS FROM dibble

dib·bler, noun

Words nearby dibble

dibasic, dibasic acid, dibasic potassium phosphate, dibasic sodium phosphate, dibatag, dibble, dibbuk, dibelius, diborane, dibrach, dibranchiate

British Dictionary definitions for dibbler (1 of 3)

dibble 1
/ (ˈdɪbəl) /

noun

Also called (esp Brit): dibber (ˈdɪbə) a small hand tool used to make holes in the ground for planting or transplanting bulbs, seeds, or roots

verb

to make a hole in (the ground) with a dibble
to plant (bulbs, seeds, etc) with a dibble

Derived forms of dibble

dibbler, noun

Word Origin for dibble

C15: of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for dibbler (2 of 3)

dibble 2
/ (ˈdɪbəl) /

verb (intr)

a variant of dib
a less common word for dabble

British Dictionary definitions for dibbler (3 of 3)

dibble 3
/ (ˈdɪbəl) /

noun

British slang a policeman

Word Origin for dibble

C20: allusion to the police officer of that name in the children's animated cartoon Top Cat