verb

nuzzle

Nuzzle (verb) means to push or thrust (the nose or snout, face or muzzle, or head, or an object) against or into something.

verb

To push or thrust (the nose or snout, face or muzzle, or head, or an object) against or into something.

To rub or touch (someone or something) with the nose, face, etc., or an object.

Chiefly of an animal: to dig (something, especially food) out of the ground using the nose or snout; to root.

Often followed by in or into: to press or push the nose or snout, mouth, face, etc., against or into someone or something; to touch someone or something with the nose or snout, etc.

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Etymology

The verb is derived from Middle English noselen (“to bend down”); further etymology uncertain, possibly: * a back-formation from noseling, noselyng (“on the back, supine; with the face downward, prone”, adverb), from nose (“nose”) (from Old English nosu, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *néh₂s (“nose”)) + -ling, -lyng (suffix forming adverbs denoting direction, manner, or position); or * from nose (see above) + -el, -elen (diminutive or frequentative suffix) (in which case the English word is, by surface analysis, nose + -le (frequentative suffix)). Etymology 1, verb sense 2.3 (“to settle or lie comfortably and snugly”) is possibly influenced by nestle or nursle (frequentative of nurse). The noun is derived from the verb. Compare nozzle.

Rhymes for nuzzle

muzzle puzzle guzzle

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of nuzzle?

"nuzzle" (verb) means to push or thrust (the nose or snout, face or muzzle, or head, or an object) against or into something.

What are the different meanings of nuzzle?

"nuzzle" has 3 main meanings: 1. To push or thrust (the nose or snout, face or muzzle, or head, or an object) against or into something; 2. To rub or touch (someone or something) with the nose, face, etc., or an object; 3. Chiefly of an animal: to dig (something, especially food) out of the ground using the nose or snout; to root.