Obs. exc. dial. [app. an onomatopœic variant of FAMBLE or FUMBLE, altered to express a more delicate movement.] a. intr. To move the fingers lightly and frequently over anything. b. trans. To touch lightly and frequently with the ends of the fingers. See also quot. a. 1825.
1577. Dee, Relat. Spir., I. (1659), 6. She is much fimbling about the Stone on her breast.
1647. H. More, Song of Soul, I. II. lxxxiii.
| Ne did his hands abhor’t | |
| When he the black silk rope soft fimbling felt | |
| And with his fingers milked evermore | |
| The hanging frienge. |
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Fimble, to pass through without cutting. Ex. ‘My scythe fimble the grass.’
