Stagger \Stag"ger\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Staggered; p. pr. & vb. n. Staggering.]

[OE. stakeren, Icel. stakra to push, to stagger, fr. staka to punt, push, stagger; cf. OD. staggeren to stagger. Cf. Stake, n.]

1. To move to one side and the other, as if about to fall, in standing or walking; not to stand or walk with steadiness; to sway; to reel or totter.

Deep was the wound; he staggered with the blow. --Dryden.

2. To cease to stand firm; to begin to give way; to fail. ``The enemy staggers.'' --Addison.

3. To begin to doubt and waver in purposes; to become less confident or determined; to hesitate.

He [Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief. --Rom. iv. 20.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)