spuddle

Meanings

1. To loosen and dig up stubble and weeds left after a harvest with a broadshare or similar device.
2. To shallowly dig or stir up in an unsystematic manner.
3. To make a lot of fuss about trivial things, as if they were important
4. To work ineffectively; to work hard but achieve nothing

1. A mess or confusion.
2. An argument or dispute.

1. A patch of wet mud or similar substance, more viscous than a puddle.
2. A process combining spraying and puddling.

Etymology

Possibly from the Middle English term for a short knife, by extension, leading to the shallow plow, and from there to other more metaphoric meanings. Related to spud.