To move slowly and unsteadily, especially due to old age or weakness; to shake or tremble slightly.
From Middle English dodderen, possibly imitative of the shaking movement. First recorded in the 16th century, perhaps influenced by Scandinavian languages. The word captures the physical reality of aging bodies.
Dodder is a verb that perfectly captures the reality of aging in a way that fancy medical terminology doesn't—there's something honest about describing how older people move when they 'dodder' instead of using euphemisms.
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