nuzzle

English

Etymology

Early 15th century Middle English noselyng, as nose + -lyng (“(frequentative)”) (modern English nose +‎ -le (“(frequentative)”)). Modern affectionate, intimate sense 1590s, possibly influenced by nestle or nursle (frequentative of nurse).[1]

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -ʌzəl

Verb

nuzzle (third-person singular simple present nuzzles, present participle nuzzling, simple past and past participle nuzzled)

  1. (of animals, lovers, etc) To touch someone or something with the nose.
    The horse nuzzled its foal's head gently to wake him up.
    The bird nuzzled up to the wires of the cage.
    She nuzzled her boyfriend in the cinema.
  2. (obsolete) To nurse; to foster; to bring up.
    • Milton
      The people had been nuzzled in idolatry.
  3. (obsolete) To nestle; to house, as in a nest.

Translations

References

  1. ↑ “nuzzle” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001–2018.
  • Folk-etymology: a dictionary of verbal corruptions or words perverted in form or meaning, by false derivation or mistaken analogy, Abram Smythe Palmer, G. Bell and Sons, 1882, p. 261
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