Now dial. Also 7 snickell. [Of obscure origin.]
In Marlowe Jew of Malta IV. v. 1941 the reading is uncertain and the meaning obscure.
1. trans. To catch with a snickle or noose; to snare. Also with up.
1615. Markham, Pleas. Princ., vi. (1635), 34. There be some which take great delight to snickell or halter the Pike.
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Countrey Farme, VII. iii. 648. Some spring-trappes, to snickle or halter either bird or beast.
1674. J. W[right], Mock-Thyestes, 128. Seeing his advantage pat, He snickles up the eldest cat.
a. 1800. Pegge, Suppl. Grose, Snickle, to take a hare in a gin. Derb.
1813. in Hatfield, Hist. Notices Doncaster (1866), I. 67. [A] gamekeeper … was … ill-treated by three men who were snickling hares.
1855. [Robinson], Whitby Gloss., To Snickle, to snare with a draw-loop as hares are entangled or snickled.
refl. 1675. Alsop, Anti-Sozzo, III. ii. 249. I know no Obligation [that] lies upon me to cut the Rope, as often as he will Snickle himself.
fig. 1679. Alsop, Melius Inq., II. iii. 248. It seems the Blessed Apostle had not yet learnt to snickle the private Conscience with his publick Authority.
1770. C. Jenner, Placid Man, VI. v. If I don’t see you both fairly snickled before I go, I’ll never forgive either of you.
2. To draw out by means of a noose.
1865. Manchester Guardian., 3 Jan., 6/3. After toiling night and day, and making a new opening into the cave, one hound was ‘snickled’ out with a noose over his head, after about 24 hours’ imprisonment.
