snirtlev.
Scottish and northern dialect.
intransitive. To laugh in a quiet, suppressed, or restrained manner; to snigger.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > types of laughter > laugh in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > snigger
neicherc1550
whickera1656
snicker1694
nichera1700
snigger1706
snirt1724
snirtle?a1786
sniggle1815
snitter1825
nicker1827
?a1786 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 203 But tho' his little heart did grieve.., He feign'd to snirtle in his sleeve.
1824 J. Mactaggart Sc. Gallovidian Encycl. 112 The Dominie..fain wad fa' a laughing; He snirtles wi' his neb and snirks.
1887 J. Service Life Dr. Duguid iv. 26 Her aul' worl' cracks and stories often mak me snirtle and laugh.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2020).
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v.?a1786