straggling

UK: /ˈstræg^əlɪŋ/

From the verb straggle: (⇒ conjugate)

straggling is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

strag•gle /ˈstrægəl/   v. [no object] , -gled, -gling. 

1. to wander from a road.
2. to lag or be behind a line of march, a group walking, or a group working:
   He's straggling behind the group and may get lost.
3. to grow or spread at irregular spaces or intervals:
   trees straggling over the hillside.

strag•gler, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

strag•gle  (strag′əl), v.i., -gled, -gling. 

1. to stray from the road, course, or line of march.
2. to wander about in a scattered fashion;
   ramble.
3. to spread or be spread in a scattered fashion or at irregular intervals:
   The trees straggle over the countryside.

• ?
• Middle English straglen 1350–1400

strag′gler, n. 
strag′gling•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

straggle / ˈstræɡ^əl/ verb (intransitive)

1. to go, come, or spread in a rambling or irregular way; stray
2. to linger behind or wander from a main line or part

Etymology: 14th Century: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to strake and stretch

ˈstraggler noun

ˈstraggly adjective