Coddle

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To parboil, or soften by boiling. It [the guava fruit] may be coddled. Dampier.

2. To treat with excessive tenderness; to pamper. How many of our English princes have been coddled at home by their fond papas and mammas! Thackeray. He [Lord Byron] never coddled his reputation. Southey.