Definition of "featherbed" in English

noun

1. A mattress stuffed with feathers.

2. (especially UK, Dartmoor) An area of bog where a layer of moss covers a pool of water or mud, presenting a hazard to walkers who may fall through it. (Also in UK and Irish placenames.)

3. (cricket) A soft, slow pitch of predictable bounce.

verb

1. (transitive) To treat someone with excessive indulgence; to pamper, cosset or mollycoddle.

2. (intransitive) To engage in featherbedding; to employ more workers than necessary to fulfill a labor union requirement.