v.
- fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong.
▸perform acrobatic feats, typically handsprings and somersaults.
- decrease rapidly in amount or value.
- dry in a tumble dryer.
- rumple; disarrange.
-
(tumble to)
informal come to understand; realize:
he's tumbled to the fact that he was deceived.
- informal have sex with.
- clean (castings, gemstones, etc.) in a tumbling barrel.
n.
- an instance of tumbling.
- an untidy or confused arrangement or state.
- a handspring or other acrobatic feat.
- US informal a friendly sign of recognition or interest.
Etymology
ME (also in the sense ‘dance with contortions’): from Mid. Low Ger. tummelen; cf. OE tumbian ‘to dance’; prob. influenced by OFr. tomber ‘to fall’.