Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1400-1500
Origin: Probably from sweddle 'to swaddle' (13-17 centuries), from Old English swethel 'swaddling clothes'

swaddle

 verb
     
Related topics: Birth
swad‧dle [transitive] old-fashioned
MB to wrap a baby tightly to keep it warm and protect it
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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