from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Dwindle \Dwin"dle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Dwindled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Dwindling}.] [From OE. dwinen to languish, waste away,
AS. dw[imac]nan; akin to LG. dwinen, D. dwijnen to vanish,
Icel. dv[imac]na to cease, dwindle, Sw. tvina; of uncertain
origin. The suffix -le, preceded by d excrescent after n, is
added to the root with a diminutive force.]
To diminish; to become less; to shrink; to waste or consume
away; to become degenerate; to fall away.
[1913 Webster]
Weary sennights nine times nine
Shall he dwindle, peak and pine. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Religious societies, though begun with excellent
intentions,
are said to have dwindled into factious clubs. --Swift.
[1913 Webster]