dandle

• vt. 抱着逗弄；娇养

1. move (a baby) up and down in one's arms or on one's knees

2. pet;

"the grandfather dandled the small child"

可能来自拟声词，摇摇晃晃的声音。

dandle (v.)

1520s, of unknown origin. Perhaps somehow felt to be imitative. Compare Italian dondolare "to dandle, swing," and French dandiner, from Old French dandin "small bell," imitative of its sound. Related: Dandled; dandling.