bungle

[buhng-guh l] /ˈbʌŋ gəl/
verb (used with object), bungled, bungling.
1.
to do clumsily and awkwardly; botch:
He bungled the job.
verb (used without object), bungled, bungling.
2.
to perform or work clumsily or inadequately:
He is a fool who bungles consistently.
noun
3.
a bungling performance.
4.
that which has been done clumsily or inadequately.
Origin
1520-30; of uncertain origin
Related forms
bungler, noun
bunglingly, adverb
unbungling, adjective
Synonyms
1. mismanage, muddle, spoil, ruin; foul up.
Examples from the web for bungling
  • In every instance he worked in such a bungling manner that he was soon detected and frightened away.
British Dictionary definitions for bungling

bungle

/ˈbʌŋɡəl/
verb
1.
(transitive) to spoil (an operation) through clumsiness, incompetence, etc; botch
noun
2.
a clumsy or unsuccessful performance or piece of work; mistake; botch
Derived Forms
bungler, noun
bungling, adjective, noun
Word Origin
C16: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare dialect Swedish bangla to work without results
Word Origin and History for bungling
n.

1660s, verbal noun from bungle (v.).

adj.

1580s, past participle adjective from bungle (v.). Related: Bunglingly.

bungle

v.

1520s, origin obscure. OED suggests imitative; perhaps a mix of boggle and bumble, or more likely from a Scandinavian word akin to Swedish bangla "to work ineffectually," Old Swedish bunga "to strike" (cf. German Bengel "cudgel," also "rude fellow"). Related: Bungled; bungling.

n.

1650s, from bungle (v.).