SNIPE

I. noun (plural ~s) Etymology: Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse snīpa ~; akin to Old High German snepfa ~ Date: 14th century any of various usually slender-billed birds of the sandpiper family, a contemptible person, II. intransitive verb (~d; sniping) Date: 1832 to shoot at exposed individuals (as of an enemy's forces) from a usually concealed point of vantage, to aim a carping or snide attack, ~r noun