verzetteln

Etymology
Frequentative of, from + , ultimately from. Combination of zetten with the instrumental suffix yielded the cognate noun ; its etymologically unrelated homonym meaning “slip/piece of paper, note” in turn feeds into sense 1 of verzetteln by association with the image of disorganized paperwork.

Verb

 * 1)  to get caught up in the minutiae of, or pursue an inexpedient approach to, a task, problem, or affair
 * 2)  to fritter, squander, waste, wanton to expend haphazardly
 * 3)  to spread, scatter (hay, straw) for drying
 * 1)  to spread, scatter (hay, straw) for drying
 * 1)  to spread, scatter (hay, straw) for drying
 * 1)  to spread, scatter (hay, straw) for drying