[prob. ad. Du. and Flem. snuffelen (also † snoffelen), = Fris. snuffelje, LG. snüffeln (whence G. schnüffeln, schnuffeln) in similar senses: see SNUFF v.2 and -LE.]
I. intr. † 1. To show dislike or disdain by snuffing; to sniff at a thing in contempt. Obs.
1583. Greene, Mamillia, Wks. (Grosart), II. 128. The young colt, at the first breaking, snuffles at the snaffle.
1600. Breton, Strange Fort. Two Princes, Wks. (Grosart), II. 12/2. The wicked wretch … in a great rage, snuffling at his cold entertainment.
1609. Holland, Amm. Marcell., XXV. iv. 268. Making a speech on a time to his souldiors all armed, when they snuffled and became unruly.
1662. R. Mathew, Unl. Alch., § 101. 177. I know nice noses will snuffel at this Oyl as a thing most detestable.
2. To draw air into the nostrils in order to smell something; to snuff or smell at a thing.
c. 1600. Chalkhill, Thealma & Cl. (1683), 12. Their cry soon reacht his ear, And he came snuffling tow’rd them.
1601. Weever, Mirr. Mart., B iij b. I dream’d I wore a garland of greene willow. But snuffling low, I prickt me with a fether.
1825. Scott, Talism., iii. The steeds … neighed and snuffled fondly around their masters.
1861. Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxf., iii. [The dog] went trotting about the room, and snuffling at Schloss’s legs.
1889. Rider Haggard, Allan’s Wife, 278. The oxen … were very restless—they kept snuffling and blowing.
3. To speak through the nose; to have a nasal twang.
Sometimes taken as indicating hypocrisy or canting.
c. 1600. Day, Begg. Bednal-Gr., III. ii. (1659), F. There’s an odde fellow snuffels i’the nose, that shows a motion about Bishopsgate.
1634. T. Johnson, trans. Parey’s Chirurg., XXIII. iv. (1678), 526. They cannot pronounce their words distinctly, but obscurely and snuffling.
1755. Smollett, Quix., II. III. viii. Would it not have been better … to cut off half their noses, even though they should snuffle in their speech?
1756. Connoisseur, No. 126, ¶ 6. Snuffling through the nose with an harmonious twang.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xli. You would have thought it was the Countess’s own Roman nose through which she snuffled.
1888. Doughty, Arabia Deserta, I. 154. He snuffled in his holy talk like an honest Roundhead.
4. To draw up air or mucus through the nostrils in an audible or noisy manner.
c. 1600. Tarlton’s Jests (1628), A 4. Who falling vpon his nose, broke it extremely, that euer after he snuffled in the head.
1611. Cotgr., Renifler, to snuffle, or snifter often.
1707. J. Stevens, trans. Quevedo’s Com. Wks. (1709), 435. He … was gaul’d and snuffled [Sp. con mataduras y muermo] because they had thrown Feathers into his Manger.
1835. Politeness & Gd.-breeding, 53. Remember never to whisper, or snuffle and laugh.
1857. C. Brontë, Professor, I. vii. 121. How he did snuffle, snort, and wheeze!
1898. Hutchinson’s Arch. Surg., IX. 141. The child, a girl,… at the age of a month began to snuffle.
† 5. Of the wind: To blow in fitful gusts. Obs.
1633. T. James, Voy., 24. In the after-noone it began to snuffle and blow.
1781. Archer, in Naval Chron., XI. 286. At eleven at night it began to snuffle, with a monstrous heavy appearance.
II. trans. 6. To inhale, to clear, to search out or examine, by snuffing.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 11/2. Mixe all these…, & snuffle heerof a little in your nose in the Morninges.
1667. Denham, Direct. Painter, II. 18. She shed no tears,… But onely snuffling her Trunk Cartilaginous, From scaling Ladder she began a story.
1871. B. Taylor, Faust (1875), I. xxii. 199. He snuffles all he snuffle can; ‘He scents the Jesuits’ traces.’
7. To utter, say, declare, etc., in a snuffling or nasal tone.
1641. in Nalson, Collect. Affairs State (1683), II. 809. Those That snuffle their unlearned Zeal in Prose.
1826. Scott, Woodst., xxxiii. ‘I profess I do…,’ snuffled the corporal.
1837. Carlyle, Misc. (1857), IV. 108. Even the old Marquis snuffles approval. Ibid. (1865), Fredk. Gt., VII. vi. (1872), II. 321. Seckendorf … snuffled into him suggestions of mercy.
1892. Zangwill, Childr. Ghetto, I. 128. The scarecrow who shambled along snuffling ‘Old clo.’
b. Similarly with out or forth.
1828. P. Cunningham, N. S. Wales (ed. 3), II. 205. On being questioned how he had existed, he snuffled out [etc.].
1842. S. Lover, Handy Andy, iii. She … snuffled forth at the astonished boy, ‘Get out o’ that, you dirty cur!’
1891. Gosse, Gossip Libr., iii. 33. A whining ballad snuffled out in the street at night by some unhappy minstrel.
