verb (used without object) 1.to talk or act insincerely or deceitfully; lie or use trickery.
2.to bargain with; haggle.
3.to act carelessly; trifle.
Origin: 1530–40 in sense “to speak indistinctly,” perhaps alteration of
falter in same sense, with
p- from
palsy1 Related forms pal·ter·er, noun