nuzzle
- to burrow or root with the nose, snout, etc., as an animal does: a rabbit nuzzling into the snow.
- to thrust the nose, muzzle, etc.: The dog nuzzled up to his master.
- to lie very close to someone or something; cuddle or snuggle up.
- to root up with the nose, snout, etc.: training pigs to nuzzle truffles from the ground.
- to touch or rub with the nose, snout, muzzle, etc.
- to thrust the nose, muzzle, snout, etc., against or into: The horse was nuzzling my pocket for sugar.
- to thrust (the nose or head), as into something.
- to lie very close to; cuddle or snuggle up to.
- an affectionate embrace or cuddle.
Origin of nuzzle
Examples from the Web for nuzzle
Historical Examples of nuzzle
It would be so nice just to lean back and nuzzle up to her, down in the sand.
The Hunted HeroesRobert Silverberg
They would push and nuzzle a man along a road, and never upset him.
JanA. J. Dawson
They stirred, making tiny whimpering sounds and trying to move their heads to nuzzle at her fingers.
Space PrisonTom Godwin
And when he slept at night something came to nuzzle at his mind; faceless, formless, utterly alien.
Cry from a Far PlanetTom Godwin
All of a sudden Don began to tremble with eagerness and nuzzle and sniff among the roots of the grass.
IT and Other StoriesGouverneur Morris
nuzzle
- to push or rub gently against the nose or snout
- (intr) to nestle; lie close
- (tr) to dig out with the snout
Word Origin for nuzzle
Word Origin and History for nuzzle
early 15c., "to bring the nose to the ground," back-formation from noselyng "on the nose, prostrate," frequentative of nose (v.); meaning "burrow with the nose" is first attested 1520s; that of "lie snug" is from 1590s, influenced by nestle, or by nursle, frequentative of nurse. Related: Nuzzled; nuzzling.