bobble

Etymology

* (noun): from bob + -le (diminutive suffix). * (verb): from bob + -le (frequentative suffix). Compare bauble.

noun

1. A furry ball attached on top of a hat.
2. (Britain) Elasticated band used for securing hair (for instance in a ponytail), a hair tie
3. (informal) A pill (a ball formed on the surface of the fabric, as on laundered clothes).
4. (knitting) A localized set of stitches forming a raised bump.
   From the top the sample shows four stitch popcorns, five stitch bobbles, two rows of bells and a central leaf with leaves sloping to the left and right each side. 2008, Claire Compton, Sue Whiting, The Knitting and Crochet Bible, page 45
5. A wobbling motion.
   My favourite dubious history of the head bobble was put forward by an Indian management consultant […] 2013, Elizabeth Chatterjee, Delhi: Mostly Harmless: One woman’s vision of the city

verb

1. (intransitive) To bob up and down.
2. (US) To make a mistake in.
3. (intransitive) To roll slowly.
   A neat interchange between Mikel Arteta and Wilshere set up Podolski and his finish bobbled into the net via Gallas. November 17 2012, BBC Sport: Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20278355