nuzzle

(nuzəl)

transitive verb nuzzled, nuzzling

  1. to push against or rub with the nose, snout, muzzle, etc.
  2. to root up with the nose or snout: said of a pig, etc.

Origin: ME noselen < nose, nose + freq. -elen

intransitive verb

  1. to push or rub with the nose, etc. against or into something
  2. to lie close; nestle; snuggle

Related Forms:

See nuzzle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb nuz·zled, nuz·zling, nuz·zles
verb, transitive
  1. To rub or push against gently with or as if with the nose or snout: stroked and nuzzled the kitten.
  2. To root or move with the snout.
verb, intransitive
  1. To make rubbing or pressing motions with or as if with the nose or snout.
  2. To nestle together.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English noselen, to bend down

Origin: , perhaps back-formation from noselyng, on the face, prostrate

Origin: , from nose, nose; see nose

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Related Forms:

  • nuzˈzler noun

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