Middle English Dictionary Entry
snō̆ken v.
Entry Info
Forms | snō̆ken v. P.pl. snō̆kiden. |
Etymology | ?ON: cp. Swed. snoka, Norw. dial. snōka, Icel. snokinn & OI snaka; cp. LG snōkeren. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To snuffle about, esp. as a hound on a scent; also fig.; (b) in cpd.: snoke-horn, ?one who snuffles into a horn, one who blows a horn, i.e., a worthless person [cp. blouen in an horn, etc., s.v. horn n. 5.(d)]; ?an infant who snuffles in a drinking horn.
Associated quotations
a
- a1425 Wycl.Serm.(Bod 788)2.83 : Disciplis of Crist wenten into þe citee to bie hem mete, for þei snokiden not fro hous to hous and beggiden mete, as freris doon.
- a1500 PParv.(KC 8)462 : Snokyn, or smellyn: Nicto.
b
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)80/80 : Certys, then were my worshyp lorne, If sych a swayn, a snoke horne, Shuld thus be my suffrane.