Coddle /(kŏd"d'l)/

Cod·dle

Coddle

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Coddled; p. pr. & vb. n. Coddling

  1. To parboil, or soften by boiling.
    It [the guava fruit] may be coddled.
    — Dampier.
  2. To treat with excessive tenderness; to pamper.
    How many of our English princes have been coddled at home by their fond papas and mammas!
    He [Lord Byron] never coddled his reputation.