intransitive verb, transitive verb fumbled -·bled, fumbling -·bling

1. to search (for a thing) by feeling about awkwardly with the hands; grope clumsily
2. to handle (a thing) clumsily or unskillfully; bungle
3. to lose one's grasp on (a football, etc.) while trying to catch or hold it
4. to make (one's way) clumsily or by groping

Etymology: var. of ME famelen, prob. < ON famla, akin to Du fommeln, Ger fummeln

noun

1. the act or fact of fumbling
2. a football, etc. that has been fumbled