waffle1

 
Pronunciation: /ˈwɒf(ə)l/
informal

verb

[no object]
  • 1British speak or write at length in a vague or trivial manner: he waffled on about his problems
  • 2North American fail to make up one’s mind: Joseph had been waffling over where to go

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] British lengthy but vague or trivial talk or writing: we’ve edited out some of the waffle
  • 2 [in singular] US a failure to make up one’s mind: his waffle on abortion

Derivatives

waffler

noun

waffly

adjective (wafflier, waffliest)

Origin:

late 17th century (originally in the sense 'yap, yelp'): frequentative of dialect waff 'yelp', of imitative origin