Bab″ble (băb″b'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Babbled (–b'ld); p. pr. & vb. n.Babbling.] [Cf.LG. babbeln, D. babbelen, G. bappeln, bappern, F. babiller, It. babbolare; prob. orig., to keep saying ba, imitative of a child learning to talk.] 1. To utter words indistinctly or unintelligibly; to utter inarticulate sounds; as, a child babbles.
2. To talk incoherently; to utter unmeaning words.
3. To talk much; to chatter; to prate.
4. To make a continuous murmuring noise, as shallow water running over stones.
In every babbling brook he finds a friend.
Wordsworth.
☞ Hounds are said to babble, or to be babbling, when they are too noisy after having found a good scent.
Syn. — To prate; prattle; chatter; gossip.