Coddlen

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To overindulge or overly protect someone in a manner that may inhibit their growth or self-reliance
2. To exercise excessive care and affection towards someone, potentially stunting their development or autonomy
3. To treat someone with such excessive care or tenderness that it limits their independence or ability to cope

Etymology: Before it meant smothering someone with attention, "coddle" meant cooking. To coddle an egg was to simmer it gently in its shell just below boiling, and the sense of pampering a person came later, extending that idea of gentle, over-careful treatment to people. The verb's exact source is uncertain, but it is most likely tied to "cod," an old English word for a pod or husk, which also gave us "codling," a soft young apple. The trailing "n" in your spelling is not part of standard modern English. The ordinary verb is "coddle," and it has the same history.

Synonyms: pamper, spoil, indulge, nurture, baby

Antonyms: neglect, abandon, ignore, mistreat, abuse