Dwin″dle (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Dwindled (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Dwindling (?).] [From OE. dwinen to languish, waste away, AS. dwīnan; akin to LG. dwinen, D. dwijnen to vanish, Icel. dvīna to cease, dwindle, Sw. tvina; of uncertain origin. The suffix -le, preceded by d excrescent after n, is added to the root with a diminutive force.] To diminish; to become less; to shrink; to waste or consume away; to become degenerate; to fall away.
Weary sennights nine times nine
Shall he dwindle, peak and pine. Shak.
Religious societies, though begun with excellent intentions,
are said to have dwindled into factious clubs. Swift.