\Dab"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dabbled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Dabbling}.] [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.

\Dab"ble\, v. i.
1. To play in water, as with the hands; to paddle or splash
   in mud or water.
         Where the duck dabbles 'mid the rustling sedge.
                                               --Wordsworth.
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.
         During the ferst year at Dumfries, Burns for the
         ferst time began to dabble in politics. --J. C.
                                               Shairp.