befuddle

verb

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁épsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epider. Proto-Indo-European *h₁pi Proto-Germanic *bider. Proto-Germanic *bi- Proto-West Germanic *bi- Old English be- Middle English bi- English be- English fuddle English befuddle From be- + fuddle.

1. To perplex, confuse (someone).

   “The explanation left him completely befuddled.”

   “Slowly the ape-man picked out the meaning of the various combinations of letters on the printed page, and as he read, the little bugs, for as such he always thought of the letters, commenced to run about in a most confusing manner, blurring his vision and befuddling his thoughts.”

2. To stupefy (someone), especially with alcohol.

   “[…] to the American and French alcoholics, who drink in order to get drunk and befuddle the brain”