from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Hobbledehoy \Hob"ble*de*hoy`\, Hobbletehoy \Hob"ble*te*hoy`\, n.
[Written also {hobbetyhoy}, {hobbarddehoy}, {hobbedehoy},
{hobdehoy}.] [ Cf. Prob. E. hobbledygee with a limping
movement; also F. hobereau, a country squire, E. hobby, and
OF. hoi to-day; perh. the orig. sense was, an upstart of
to-day.]
A youth between boy and man; an awkward, gawky young fellow .
[Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]
All the men, boys, and hobbledehoys attached to the
farm. --Dickens. .
[1913 Webster]