tinker
UK: ˈtɪŋkə | US: ˈtɪŋkər
n. 1. A person who travels from place to place mending metal utensils.
n. 2. (Informal) Someone who makes small, experimental adjustments to machinery or systems.
vi. To attempt to repair or improve something in a casual or unskilled way.
The word "tinker" originates from the Middle English "tinkere," derived from the sound "tink" (imitating the light hammering of metal) combined with the agent suffix "-er." Historically, tinkers were itinerant repairers of pots and pans, often associated with the sound of their work. Over time, the term expanded to describe anyone making small, makeshift repairs or adjustments.
The old tinker fixed our broken kettle with skillful hands.
He loves to tinker with old radios in his spare time.
Don’t let him tinker with the engine—he’s not a trained mechanic.
The company encourages employees to tinker with new ideas.
She’s been tinkering with the code to improve the app’s performance.