Third person singular of coddle; to treat someone with excessive kindness or protection, or to cook eggs gently in hot water just below boiling.
From Middle English 'coddle,' possibly from an Old English root akin to 'caud' (warm), combined with the modern '-s' suffix for third person singular.
Parents who 'coddle' their children and cooks who 'coddle' eggs share something profound—both are trying to protect something delicate from harsh treatment, which is why the verb works perfectly for both parenting and cooking.
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