Canoodled

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To partake in playful, affectionate interactions that often include physical closeness or kissing
2. To engage in romantic or flirtatious behavior characterized by gentle physical contact and intimacy
3. To share tender physical affection, typically in a playful and loving manner

Etymology: "Canoodled" is the past tense of "canoodle," and the verb's origin is genuinely unsettled. One leading suggestion is that it is a blend of "ca(ress)" and "noodle," the latter in its old sense of fooling around or wasting time. Another possibility points to German, where "knuddeln" means to cuddle or, originally, to embrace tightly. That German verb may connect to a Low German word for a clump or knot, which would give the image of two people tangled up together. The German link is tempting partly because of a related Scandinavian pair, Norwegian "knulle" and Swedish "knulla," which are vulgar slang for having sex. These trace back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning to beat or mash, and they show how words for physical contact can drift toward much rougher senses. Whether "canoodle" shares that history is not established, so the connection remains a clue rather than a proof.

Synonyms: cuddled, snuggled