fumble

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
fumble/ˈfʌmbl/

▶verb

• 1 use the hands clumsily while doing or handling something.

  ■ (fumble about/around) move about clumsily using the hands to find one's way.

  ■ (in ball games) fail to catch or field (the ball) cleanly.

• 2 express oneself or deal with something clumsily or nervously.

▶noun an act of fumbling.

■ informal an act of fondling someone for sexual pleasure.

– derivatives
fumbler noun,
fumbling adjective,
fumblingly adverb.

– origin ME: from Low Ger. fommeln or Du. fommelen.