snaffle

¹ American  

[snaf-uhl] / ˈsnæf əl /

noun

1. Also called snaffle bit.  a bit, usually jointed in the middle and without a curb, with a large ring at each end to which a rein and cheek strap are attached.

---

verb (used with object)

snaffled, snaffling

1. to put a snaffle on (a horse).

2. to control with or as with a snaffle.

snaffle ² American  

[snaf-uhl] / ˈsnæf əl /

verb (used with object)

British Informal.

snaffled, snaffling

1. to appropriate for one's own use, especially by devious means; purloin; filch.

---

snaffle British  

/ ˈsnæfəl /

noun

1. Also called: snaffle bit.  a simple jointed bit for a horse

---

verb

1. informal to steal or take for oneself

2. to equip or control with a snaffle

Etymology

Origin of snaffle¹

1525–35; origin uncertain; compare Old Frisian snavel mouth, Dutch snavel, German Schnabel beak, bill

Origin of snaffle²

First recorded in 1715–25; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

After failing to convert a succession of chances he would normally snaffle without a thought in the draw against Chelsea at the weekend, Haaland seemed like a man on a mission from the first whistle.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2024

Acorns are only on the ground for a short period, and the bears has to wander around to snaffle them all up.

From Slate • Dec. 6, 2022

And at the end of an evening, it’s not uncommon for deer to emerge from the trees and snaffle up the leftover popcorn.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2022

Years later, I would visit the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina, where these scenes of orcas beaching themselves to snaffle sea lion pups off the shingle were filmed.

From Washington Post • Mar. 3, 2022

An illustration of this fastidiousness was afforded by his going such a distance for his snaffle bridle.

From Fairy Legends and Traditions of The South of Ireland by Crocker, T. Crofton