† ˈknabble, v. Obs.
Also 6 knable, 7 gnab(b)le, nabble.
[dim. or freq. of knab v.: cf. Du. knabbelen, LG. knabbeln (G. knabbern), also nibble v.]
To bite, gnaw, nibble. Usually intr. or absol. with at, upon. Hence † ˈknabbling ppl. a.
| 1567 Drant Horace, Ep. xvi. E viij, The puttocke from the bayted hooke her knabling neb will spare. 1580 Hollyband Treas. Fr. Tong, Ronger, to knaw, to knabble. 1612 T. Taylor Comm. Titus iii. 3 No companie freeth it selfe but a man may obserue some mens names nibled at, and gnabled vpon. 1622 Ward Woe to Drunkards Serm. (1862) 159 Take us these little foxes..for they gnabble our grapes. 1666 Harvey Morb. Angl. ix. 76 Left as a bone for every Readers discretion to knabble at. 1684 Otway Atheist i. i, Asses..are always ready to nabble, because it is the certain way to be nabbled again. |