I. ˈsni-vəl intransitive verb
( -eled or -elled ; -el·ing or sniv·el·ling ˈsni-və-liŋ, ˈsniv-liŋ)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English * snyflan; akin to Dutch snuffelen to snuffle, snuffen to sniff
Date: 14th century
1. : to run at the nose
2. : to snuff mucus up the nose audibly : snuffle
3. : to cry or whine with snuffling
4. : to speak or act in a whining, sniffling, tearful, or weakly emotional manner
• sniv·el·er ˈsni-və-lər, ˈsniv-lər noun
II. noun
Date: 1600
1. plural , dialect : head cold
2. : an act or instance of sniveling