doo·dle / ˈdoōdl/ • v. [intr.] scribble absentmindedly: he was only doodling in the margin. ∎  engage in idle activity; dawdle: they could plan another attack while we're just doodling around.• n. a rough drawing made absentmindedly.DERIVATIVES: doo·dler / -d(ə)lər/ n.

doodle simpleton XVII; larva of tiger-beetle (also doodle-bug, applied in 1944 to the ‘flying bomb’) XIX; aimless scrawl on paper XX. In the first sense — LG. dudel- in dudeltopf, -dopp simple fellow; the connection of the other senses is doubtful; the last is prob. rel. to dial. vb. doodle fritter time away.