draggle

[ drag-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, drag·gled, drag·gling.

1. to soil by dragging over damp ground or in mud.

verb (used without object)

, drag·gled, drag·gling.

1. to trail on the ground; be or become draggled.
2. to follow slowly; straggle.

draggle

/ ˈdræɡəl /

verb

1. to make or become wet or dirty by trailing on the ground; bedraggle
2. intr to lag; dawdle

Word History and Origins

Origin of draggle¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; drag + -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of draggle¹

C16: probably frequentative of drag

Example Sentences

The hair hung down, limp and draggled, or matted with dried blood where Hal’s club had bruised him.

From Literature

“We had to grow,” Alexandra hissed as she propped herself against the terminal, her dark hair a curtain draggling before her as she hung her head.

From The Verge

White flowers whirled like snow and her draggled hair streamed back from her face as she squinted against the draft.

From Literature

Slowly the sky above grew lighter, and then suddenly the clouds broke, and their draggled fringes trailed away northward up the River.

From Literature

He could scarcely believe the sight before him—Rome’s beautiful princess, her hair dirty, tangled, and uncombed, her clothes draggled and torn, her face thin and wild.

From Literature