verb

coddle

KAH-dul/ˈkɑːdl/

Treat with excessive care or indulgence.

The caregiver appears to coddle the healthy young man with excessive blankets and spoon-feeding.

An older caregiver fussily wraps a healthy young adult in excessive blankets and cushions while spoon-feeding him; the young man reaches to take the spoon himself.

Etymology

The proposed connection is to caudle, a warm drink for invalids. The pampering sense may come directly from that noun; its link to the older cooking sense, 'boil gently,' is uncertain.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain120:28

we must bring him to and coax him and coddle him and assure him that the ways of Providence are best

1800s Philosophy: Mark Twain's Anti-Imperialist Writings (Audiobook)

More examples

She worried that they coddled their son instead of teaching responsibility.
The manager does not coddle employees who repeatedly miss deadlines.
He felt his younger brother had always been coddled.

Forms

coddle · coddles · coddled · coddling

Similar words

pamper: Pamper indulges someone; coddle often emphasizes excessive protection or fussing.
indulge: Indulge grants a desire; coddle suggests protecting someone from ordinary demands or discomfort.