Coddling is cooking an object just below the boiling point The most common usage of coddling is when cooking eggs--done by cooking them in a pot of water just below a boil, or by pouring boiling water over the eggs and letting them sit for 10 minutes
disapproval To coddle someone means to treat them too kindly or protect them too much. She coddled her youngest son madly. to treat someone in a way that is too kind and gentle and that protects them from pain or difficulty