Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Fumble \Fum"ble\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Fumbled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Fumbling}.] [Akin to D. fommelen to crumple, fumble, Sw.
   fumla to fusuble, famla to grope, Dan. famle to grope,
   fumble, Icel. falme, AS. folm palm of the hand. See {Feel},
   and cf. {Fanble}, {Palm}.]
   1. To feel or grope about; to make awkward attempts to do or
      find something.

            Adams now began to fumble in his pockets.
                                                  --Fielding.

   2. To grope about in perplexity; to seek awkwardly; as, to
      fumble for an excuse. --Dryden.

            My understanding flutters and my memory fumbles.
                                                  --Chesterfield.

            Alas! how he fumbles about the domains.
                                                  --Wordsworth.

   3. To handle much; to play childishly; to turn over and over.

            I saw him fumble with the sheets, and play with
            flowers.                              --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

fumbling
     adj : showing lack of skill or aptitude; "a bungling workman";
           "did a clumsy job"; "his fumbling attempt to put up a
           shelf" [syn: {bungling}, {clumsy}, {incompetent}]