footle, v. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

footle v.

[OED has ‘of obscure origin’ and suggests link to footer v., but EDD offers Nottingham dial. footle, to do anything in a feeble, ineffectual manner]

1. to titivate, to enhance.

1775

Ranger’s Impartial List of the Ladies of Pleasure in Edinburgh Preface: Ye amiable Nymphs, whom [...] footle the soul with the circean cup of pleasure.

2. to act or talk foolishly.

1892		‘F. Anstey’ Voces Populi Ser. 2 111: Now, really, Settee, do try not to footle like this! [Mr Settee subsides.
1939		K. Tennant Foveaux 165: Footling around with housing schemes!

3. to potter around.

1928		E. Milton To Kiss the Crocodile 224: They footled along the American shore, north and south.
1930		N. Lindsay Redheap (1965) 271: ‘I had an affair with Teddie Briggs. I did, too, with you footling about after him in this ass of a room’.
1935		E. Pound letter 3 Mar. in Paige (1971) 270: Have seen Englanders footlin round at age of 32, having graduated at Oxon, and not knowin’ what they mean to do.