I. ˈni-gəl verb
( nig·gled ; nig·gling -g(ə-)liŋ)
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: circa 1616
intransitive verb
1.
a. : trifle
b. : to spend too much effort on minor details
2. : to find fault constantly in a petty way : carp
she haggles, she niggle s, she wears out our patience — Virginia Woolf
3. : gnaw
transitive verb
: to give stingily or in tiny portions
• nig·gler -g(ə-)lər noun
II. noun
Date: 1886
chiefly British : a trifling doubt, objection, or complaint