v. dial. and U.S. Also 9 wicker, whecker, whihher. [Imitative. Cf. nicker, snicker, and MHG. wiheren (G. wiehern).]
1. intr. To utter a half-suppressed laugh; to snigger, titter.
a. 1656. Ussher, Ann., VI. (1658), 284. Having never seen the like done before, he fell a whickering.
c. 1730. Haynes, Dorset. Voc., in N. & Q., 6th Ser. (1883), VIII. 45/2. To whicker, to laugh.
1808. Jamieson, Whihher,… to titter.
1891. T. Hardy, Tess, l. The green-spangled fairies that ‘whickered’ at you as you passed.
2. Of a horse: To whinny; also of a sheep or goat, to bleat, of a dog, to whine, etc.
1808. Jamieson, Whihher … to wicker, to neigh or whinny.
1825. Jennings, Obs. Dial. W. Eng., To Whecker,… to neigh.
1888. Elworthy, W. Somerset Word-bk., s.v. Wickery.
1893. Kipling, Many Invent., 215. The mare whickered.
1912. Masefield, Widow in Bye St., VI. xxxii. The wall-top grasses whickered in the breeze.
So Whicker sb., a snigger; a whinny.
1882. Harper’s Mag., June, 53/2. The whicker of old Molly at the foot of the lane, and the answer of the colt in the lot, announced the joyous moment.
1909. ‘O. Henry,’ Roads of Destiny, ix. Through the intense silence, he heard the whicker of a horse.
