I. ˈnəzəl verb
( nuzzled ; nuzzled ; nuzzling -z(ə)liŋ ; nuzzles )
Etymology: earlier nosill, nousle, from Middle English noselen to bring the nose towards the ground, from nose (I) + -elen, -len -le
intransitive verb
1. : to work with or as if with the nose : root, rub, or snuff with the nose
feedboxes where once horses had nuzzled — H.P.Kishbaugh
carp in the shadows … nuzzling for crumbs under lily pads — Amy Lowell
felt a nose nuzzling at his shoulder — George Orwell
2. : to poke, press, or rub against something
two tugs nuzzled up gently to the bow … and began to push — Vernon Pizer
3. : to lie close or snug : associate intimately : nestle
transitive verb
: to root, rub, or touch with or as if with the nose : nudge , push , thrust
horses stopped by the fence and began nuzzling the snow — Ellen Glasgow
nuzzled her face into her pillow — Maritta Wolff
nuzzling his lips against her hair — Adria Langley
nuzzled his shoulder blades more comfortably into the pillows — Olive H. Prouty
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1. obsolete : to bring up or train in a practice : nurture
possessed with blind zeal, and nuzzled with superstition — Robert Burton
2. chiefly Britain : to make snug : nestle with : nurse