The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word MUFFS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
M
U
F
F
S
More clues leading to the result MUFFS
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "fumbles" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case fumbles = muffs.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MUFFS mean?
MUFFS noun- A piece of fur or cloth, usually with open ends, used for keeping the hands warm.
- Female pubic hair; female genitals.
- A blown cylinder of glass which is afterward flattened out to make a sheet.
- The feathers sticking out from both sides of the face under the beak of some birds.
- A short hollow cylinder surrounding an object such as a pipe.
- A fool, a stupid or poor-spirited person.
- An error, a mistake; a failure to hold a ball when once in the hands.
- A bird, the whitethroat.
- To drop or mishandle (the ball, a catch etc.); to play badly.
- To mishandle; to bungle.
- A muffin.