intransitive verb sniveled -·eled or snivelled -·elled, sniveling -·el·ing or snivelling -·el·ling

1. to have mucus running from the nose
2. to sniff repeatedly, as from a head cold, crying, etc.; sniffle
3. to cry and sniffle
4. to fret or complain in a whining, tearful manner
5. to make a whining, tearful, often false display of grief, sympathy, disappointment, etc.

Etymology: ME snivelen < OE *snyflan < base seen in snofl, mucus, prob. ult. < IE base *sneu-, to flow

noun

1. nasal mucus
2. the act of sniveling
3. a sniveling display of grief, etc.