dote

Etymology

From Middle English doten, from Middle Low German doten (“to be foolish”) or Middle Dutch doten (“to be silly”). Doublet of doit (Scottish English).

verb

  1. (intransitive, usually with on) To be weakly or foolishly fond of somebody.
    Little Bill's parents just keep doting on him.
    Jules doted on Chris, spending hours while Chris was at school assembling vast cities out of microscopic Lego pieces to surprise him when he returned. 2010, Jennifer Egan, “A to B”, in A Visit from the Goon Squad
  2. (intransitive, archaic) To act in a foolish manner; to be senile.

noun

  1. (Ireland) A darling, a cutie.
  2. (obsolete) An imbecile; a dotard.
    How did his death-bed make him a doate! 1630, Tinker of Turvey

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