boggle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb startle with amazement or fear
  2. verb hesitate when confronted with a problem, or when in doubt or fear
  3. verb overcome with amazement
    flabbergast; bowl over.
    • This boggles the mind!

WordNet

Bog"gle intransitive verb
Etymology
See Bogle, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Boggled present participle & verbal noun Boggling
Definitions
  1. To stop or hesitate as if suddenly frightened, or in doubt, or impeded by unforeseen difficulties; to take alarm; to exhibit hesitancy and indecision.
    We start and boggle at every unusual appearance. Glanvill.
    Boggling at nothing which serveth their purpose. Barrow.
  2. To do anything awkwardly or unskillfully.
  3. To play fast and loose; to dissemble. Howell. Syn. -- To doubt; hesitate; shrink; stickle; demur.
Bog"gle transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To embarrass with difficulties; to make a bungle or botch of. Local, U. S.

Webster 1913