[of obscure origin: cf. prec.]
1. intr. To inform upon a person; to peach, turn informer.
1801. Sporting Mag., XIX. 88. A man who is now in to Chester Gaol and has been snitching about me.
1812. J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., s.v., To impeach, or betray your accomplices, is termed snitching upon them.
1839. A. Somerville, Hist. Brit. Leg., v. 105. How one of these had frequently threatened to snitch—or tell who stole the bridle.
1867. Crim. Chronol. York Castle, 189. Wright,… finding that Norburn had been snitching, also made a confession.
b. trans. To inform or give evidence against (a person or accomplice). rare–1.
1801. Sporting Mag., XIX. 88. Nadin asked him, how he knew the man had snitched him?
2. To catch by means of a noose or loop.
1900. Daily News, 13 Oct., 8/2. The pike … is killed anyhow, ‘shot at sight,’ or snitched with a wire loop, or netted.
Hence Snitching ppl. a.
1812. J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., s.v. Snitch;… an informer, or tale-bearer in general, is called … a snitching rascal.
