I. ˈsnär(-ə)l verb
Etymology: Middle English, to trap, entangle, probably frequentative of snaren to snare
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to cause to become knotted and intertwined : tangle
2. : to make excessively complicated
intransitive verb
: to become snarled
• snarl·er noun
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English snarle snare, noose, probably from snarlen , verb
Date: 1609
1. : a tangle especially of hairs or thread : knot
2. : a tangled situation
traffic snarl s
• snarly ˈsnär-lē adjective
III. verb
Etymology: frequentative of obsolete English snar to growl; akin to Middle Low German snorren to drone, rattle
Date: 1589
intransitive verb
1. : to growl with a snapping, gnashing, or display of teeth
2. : to give vent to anger in surly language
transitive verb
: to utter or express with a snarl or by snarling
• snarl·er noun
IV. noun
Date: 1613
: a surly angry growl
• snarly ˈsnär-lē adjective