coddle UK /ˈkɒd.əl/US /ˈkɑ.dəl/verb 3noun 2forms 3 verb3 •To treat gently or with great care. •To exercise excessive or damaging authority in an attempt to protect. To overprotect. •To cook slowly in hot water that is below the boiling point.It [the guava fruit] bakes as well as a Pear, and it may be coddled, and it makes good Pies. — 1697 noun2 •An Irish dish comprising layers of roughly sliced pork sausages and bacon rashers with sliced potatoes and onions. •(no longer used) An effeminate person. formscoddled · coddling · coddles