Coddle, with "on" (4)
I believe the answer is:
dote
'coddle with on' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for dote that I've seen before include "Show great fondness as to Ed" , "Adore" , "Be foolishly fond" , "Be feeble when getting on" , "Love beyond reason" .)