1. past tense of diesel; (of an engine) to continue running after the ignition is turned off, due to fuel igniting from residual heat
Usage: informal; automotive
2. past tense of diesel; to operate or power with diesel fuel
Usage: informal

Examples

• The old truck dieseled for a few seconds after I turned off the key.
• The engine dieseled and sputtered before finally stopping.
• We dieseled across the country in that heavy-duty rig.
• The car kept dieseling even though the ignition was off.
• After years of poor maintenance, the engine would diesel every time we shut it down.