dote / dōt/ • v. [intr.] 1. (dote on/upon) be extremely and uncritically fond of: she doted on her two young children | [as adj.] (doting) she was spoiled outrageously by her doting father. 2. archaic be silly or feebleminded, esp. as a result of old age: the parson is now old and dotes.DERIVATIVES: dot·er n.dot·ing·ly adv.

dote
A. be silly or weak-minded XIII;

B. bestow excessive fondness upon XV. perh. OE., corr. to MDu. doten be silly.
Hence dotage, dotard XIV.