Paddler

pad·dle ¹  (pdl)

n.

1. A usually wooden implement having a blade at one end or sometimes at both ends, used without an oarlock to propel a canoe or small boat.

2. Any of various implements resembling the paddle of a boat or canoe, as:

a. An iron tool for stirring molten ore in a furnace.

b. A tool with a shovellike blade used to mix materials in glassmaking.

c. A potter's pallet.

d. A narrow board used to beat clothes when laundering by hand.

e. A flattened board used to administer physical punishment.

f. Sports A light wooden or plastic racket used in playing table tennis, platform tennis, and similar games.

3. A board on a paddle wheel.

4. A flipper or flattened appendage of certain animals.

5. Botany See pad¹.

6. The act of paddling.

v. pad·dled, pad·dling, pad·dles

v.intr.

1. Nautical

a. To propel a watercraft with paddles or a paddle.

b. To row slowly and gently.

2. To move through water by means of repeated short strokes of the limbs.

v.tr.

1. Nautical

a. To propel (a watercraft) with paddles or a paddle.

b. To convey in a watercraft propelled by paddles.

2. To spank or beat with a paddle, especially as a punishment.

3. To stir or shape (material) with a paddle.

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[Middle English padell, tool used to clean plowshares, perhaps from Medieval Latin padela.]

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paddler n.

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pad·dle ²  (pdl)

intr.v. pad·dled, pad·dling, pad·dles

1. To dabble about in shallow water; splash gently with the hands or feet.

2. To move with a waddling motion; toddle.

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[Perhaps of Low German origin.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

paddler - someone paddling a canoe             canoeist boatman, waterman, boater - someone who drives or rides in a boat