sniggle

English

Etymology 1

From an alteration (perhaps due to giggle) of snigger, itself a variant of snicker.

Verb

sniggle (third-person singular simple present sniggles, present participle sniggling, simple past and past participle sniggled)

1. To chortle or chuckle; snicker (often used in contempt).

Related terms

• sniggler (a person who sniggles)

Etymology 2

See snig (“a kind of eel”) +‎ -le (frequentative verbal suffix).

Verb

1. (intransitive) To fish for eels by thrusting a baited hook into their dens.
2. (transitive) To catch by this means.
3. (transitive, figurative) To ensnare.

Etymology 3

From an alteration of snag +‎ -le.

Verb

sniggle (third-person singular simple present sniggles, present participle sniggling, simple past and past participle sniggled)

1. (obsolete) To steal something of little value

References

• Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus 1993.

Anagrams

• eglings, gesling, gingles, leggins, niggles