verb (used with object), be·fud·dled, be·fud·dling.
- to confuse, as with glib statements or arguments: politicians befuddling the public with campaign promises.
- to make stupidly drunk.
verb (tr)
- to confuse, muddle, or perplex
- to make stupid with drink
“confuse,” 1873, from be- + fuddle; originally “to confuse with strong drink or opium” (by 1832). An earlier word in the same sense was begunk (1725). Related: Befuddled; befuddling.