dribble
/ˈdrɪbəl/ · drib·ble
verb
- To let a liquid fall in small drops or a thin stream. The faucet began to dribble after the pipe was repaired.
- To control a ball by repeatedly bouncing it with short, light touches, especially in basketball or soccer. She dribbled past two defenders before taking the shot.
- To speak in a rapid, incoherent, or rambling manner. He dribbled on about his weekend plans, forgetting the main point.
noun
- A small amount of liquid that falls in drops. A dribble of water escaped from the broken bottle.
- A series of short, uncontrolled passes or touches of a ball in a game. The team's dribble was ineffective, leading to a turnover.
- Drooling, especially in infants. The baby’s dribble was a sign that his teething was progressing.
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Did you know? In early basketball (1890s), dribbling was illegal; players could only pass the ball, and the skill evolved only after rule changes allowed a player to bounce the ball to evade opponents.