coddle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒd(ə)l/

verb

[with object]
  • 1treat (someone) in an indulgent or overprotective way: I was coddled and cosseted
  • 2cook (an egg) in water below boiling point: you may have your eggs scrambled, poached, coddled, or boiled

Derivatives

coddler

noun

Origin:

late 16th century (in the sense 'boil (fruit) gently'): origin uncertain; coddle (sense 1) is probably a dialect variant of obsolete caudle 'administer invalids' gruel', based on Latin caldum 'hot drink', from calidus 'warm'