So, @Bill W may not be far off in thinking. According to Wiktionary the term canoodle may be a reference to two person canoes used to escape chaperones during the Victorian and Edwardian times to achieve privacy. The true etymology of the word is unknown, but this is a better explanation than others which are of even less certain evidence.

7 hours ago, Ron said:

So, @Bill W may not be far off in thinking. According to Wiktionary the term canoodle may be a reference to two person canoes used to escape chaperones during the Victorian and Edwardian times to achieve privacy. The true etymology of the word is unknown, but this is a better explanation than others which are of even less certain evidence.

That's very interesting.  I just thought of canoes with I saw the word canoodle, so when I saw the definition it all just fit together.