cradle

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
cradle/ˈkreɪdl/

▶noun

• 1 a baby's bed or cot, especially one mounted on rockers.

• 2 a supporting framework resembling a cradle, in particular for a boat under repair or for workers on the side of high building.

▶verb

• 1 hold gently and protectively.

• 2 place in a cradle.

– derivatives
cradling noun.

– origin OE cradol, of uncertain origin.