Plural of dollop; small amounts or portions of something semi-solid or thick, like cream or sauce.
From 'dollop' (possibly from Scandinavian origin, related to 'doll' meaning to move or rock gently). The word entered English in the 19th century as a colloquial term for lumps or generous portions.
A 'dollop' is technically undefined in size—there's no scientific measurement—which is why recipes using it are infuriatingly vague, but that's exactly what made it perfect for home cooking before precise measurements became standard!
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