verb trans
to catch hold of (something) and squeeze or pinch it sharply
(often + off) to sever (something) by or as if by pinching sharply
to give a small sharp bite to (somebody or something)
said of cold or frost: to injure (e.g. a plant) or numb (a part of the body)
chiefly Brit, informal to go quickly or briefly; to hurry
nip something in the bud
to prevent the development or success of something at an early stage
I should think it rather a sign that he had no one to tell him of the tricks which mothers generally nip in the bud — C M Yonge
[Middle English nippen, of Germanic origin]