ほうける
N1惚ける
呆ける耄ける蓬ける
[houkeru]
Meanings
1.IchidanIntransitive
to be mentally slow; to be befuddled
2.Aux-verbIchidan
to become engrossed in; to become absorbed in
3.IchidanIntransitive
to become frayed and dishevelled (of hair, grass, etc.); to be fluffy
Other Readings
「惚ける」 has other readings with different meanings.
Examples
祖父はすっかり惚けてしまった。
My grandfather has completely lost his faculties.
祖父は最近少し惚けてきたようです。
My grandfather has become a little senile lately.
惚けた振りをしながら実は聞いていた。
He was actually listening all along while pretending to be oblivious.