Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Wade \Wade\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Waded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Wading}.] [OE. waden to wade, to go, AS. wadan; akin to
   OFries. wada, D. waden, OHG. watan, Icel. va?a, Sw. vada,
   Dan. vade, L. vadere to go, walk, vadum a ford. Cf. {Evade},
   {Invade}, {Pervade}, {Waddle}.]
   1. To go; to move forward. [Obs.]

            When might is joined unto cruelty, Alas, too deep
            will the venom wade.                  --Chaucer.

            Forbear, and wade no further in this speech. --Old
                                                  Play.

   2. To walk in a substance that yields to the feet; to move,
      sinking at each step, as in water, mud, sand, etc.

            So eagerly the fiend . . . With head, hands, wings,
            or feet, pursues his way, And swims, or sinks, or
            wades, or creeps, or flies.           --Milton.

   3. Hence, to move with difficulty or labor; to proceed ?lowly
      among objects or circumstances that constantly ?inder or
      embarrass; as, to wade through a dull book.

            And wades through fumes, and gropes his way.
                                                  --Dryden.

            The king's admirable conduct has waded through all
            these difficulties.                   --Davenant.

Wading \Wad"ing\,
   a. & n. from {Wade}, v.

   {Wading bird}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Wader}, 2.

Source : WordNet®

wading
     n : walking with your feet in shallow water