Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - dodder

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English doder; akin to Middle High German toter ~, egg yolk  Date: 13th century any of a genus (Cuscuta) of wiry twining vines of the morning-glory family that are highly deficient in chlorophyll, are parasitic on other plants, and have tiny scales instead of leaves  II. intransitive verb  (~ed; ~ing)  Etymology: Middle English dadiren  Date: 14th century  1. to tremble or shake from weakness or age  2. to progress feebly and unsteadily was ~ing down the walk  • ~er noun