* Gribouillage: This is the most common and general translation for "doodle". It refers to a scribble or a meaningless drawing.
* Barbouillage: Similar to "gribouillage", but can also imply a messy or careless drawing.
* Croquis: This translates to "sketch", and can be used for simple doodles if they have a slightly more artistic intention.
* Patouille: This is a less formal word and means "mess around", "play around" or "fiddle" with something. It can be used to describe someone doodling if they are doing it playfully.
The best translation for "doodle" will depend on the specific context of your sentence. For example, if you are talking about a simple drawing in a notebook, "gribouillage" would be the most appropriate. If you are talking about a more artistic sketch, "croquis" might be a better choice.